The WNBA Playoffs are about to begin and ESPN2 will kick it off with a doubleheader on Thursday. As many as 17 postseason games will air on the Deuce. ESPN3.com will simulcast the games on its broadband service to participating internet service providers.
Here’s the ESPN press release.
ESPN2 and ESPN3 Set to Show Up to 17 WNBA Playoff Games
First Round to begin Thursday, Sept. 15
The WNBA Playoff bracket has been set with the Indiana Fever of the Eastern Conference and the Minnesota Lynx of the Western Conference grabbing the top seeds. ESPN2 and ESPN3 will show up to 17 playoff games beginning Thursday, Sept. 15, including the best-of-five WNBA Finals.
Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals
- Top seeded in the Eastern Division, the Indiana Fever will face the No. 4 seed in the Western Division, the New York Liberty, to open ESPN2/ESPN3’s WNBA Playoff coverage on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. ET. The third game of the series, if necessary, will air from Indiana on Monday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m.;
- An always-anticipated Western Conference game, the No. 2 seed Seattle Storm will host the No. 3 seed Phoenix Mercury on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 10 p.m. The third game of the series, if necessary, will air from Seattle on Monday, Sept. 19, at 10 p.m.;
- In the Eastern Conference, ESPN2/ESPN3 will start with the second game between the No. 2 seed Connecticut Sun at the No. 3 seed Atlanta Dream on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m.;
- The Minnesota Lynx, the top seed in the Western Division, will play at the No. 4 seed San Antonio Silver Stars in Game 2 on Sunday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m.
Eastern and Western Conference Finals
- ESPN2 and ESPN3 will have up to five games of the Conference Finals from Thursday, Sept. 22 – Tuesday, Sept. 27 in a best-of-three series.
WNBA Finals
- The WNBA Finals are scheduled to begin Sunday, Oct. 2, with a best-of-five format;
- As part of the celebration of its 15th season, the WNBA had its fans select the WNBA Top 15 Moments Presented by Boost Mobile. The top five greatest WNBA moments will be revealed during the ESPN2 telecasts of the WNBA Finals.
ESPN.com/espnW Full Playoff Coverage
ESPN.com and espnW will combine for comprehensive live coverage and analysis throughout the WNBA postseason.
- Rebecca Lobo, Mechelle Voepel and Michelle Smith will break down each series, including predictions from Voepel and Smith;
- New “3-pointers” video analysis from Voepel and Smith will preview each series;
- Features on all eight teams competing in the first round;
- Daily column from Voepel wrapping up each day’s action;
- Live coverage of the Conference Finals from Voepel and Smith;
- Additional game coverage for espnW by Graham Hays, Meri-Jo Borzilleri and Pat Borzi.
2011 WNBA Playoff Schedule (Subject to change)
Date Time (ET) Game Network Thu, Sep 15 8 p.m. Eastern Conference Semifinals – Game 1: No. 4 seed New York at No. 1 seed IndianaMarc Kestecher, Carolyn Peck & Holly RoweESPN2/ESPN3 10 p.m. Western Conference Semifinals – Game 1: No. 3 seed Phoenix at No. 2 seed SeattlePam Ward, Rebecca Lobo & Heather CoxESPN2/ESPN3 Sun, Sep 18 3 p.m. Eastern Conference Semifinals – Game 2: No. 2 seed Connecticut at No. 3 seed AtlantaBeth Mowins, Carolyn Peck & Holly RoweESPN2/ESPN3 5 p.m. Western Conference Semifinals – Game 2: No. 1 seed Minnesota at No. 4 seed San AntonioPam Ward, Rebecca Lobo & Heather CoxESPN2/ESPN3 Mon, Sep 19 8 p.m. *Eastern Conference Semifinals – Game 3: No. 4 seed New York at No. 1 seed IndianaESPN2/ESPN3 10 p.m. *Western Conference Semifinals – Game 3: No. 3 seed Phoenix at No. 2 seed SeattleESPN2/ESPN3 Tue, Sep 20 TBD * Conference Semifinals – Game 3 ESPN2/ESPN3 Thu, Sep 22 7 p.m. Conference Finals – Game 1 ESPN2/ESPN3 9 p.m. Conference Finals – Game 1 ESPN2/ESPN3 Sun, Sep 25 3 p.m. Conference Finals – Game 2 ESPN2/ESPN3 5 p.m. Conference Finals – Game 2 ESPN2/ESPN3 Tue, Sep 27 8 p.m. *Conference Finals – Game 3 ESPN2/ESPN3 Sun, Oct 2 4:30 p.m. WNBA Finals – Game 1 ESPN2/ESPN3 Wed, Oct 5 8 p.m. WNBA Finals – Game 2 ESPN2/ESPN3 Fri, Oct 7 8 p.m. WNBA Finals – Game 3 ESPN2/ESPN3 Sun, Oct 9 4 p.m. *WNBA Finals – Game 4 ESPN2/ESPN3 Wed, Oct 12 8 p.m. *WNBA Finals – Game 5 ESPN2/ESPN3 * – if necessary
That’s all.