Western Conference (WNBA)

WNBA Western Conference From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Western Conference is one of two conferences that make up the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the other being the Eastern Conference. The Western Conference consists of 8 teams and the Eastern Conference consists of 7 teams.[1][2]

LeagueWNBA
First season1997
No. of teams8
Quick facts League, Sport ...
Western Conference
LeagueWNBA
SportBasketball
First season1997
No. of teams8
Most recent
champion
Seattle Storm (2020)
Most titlesMinnesota Lynx (4)
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From the league's second season in 1998 through 2015, the WNBA operated separate playoff brackets for its Eastern and Western Conferences. Each conference's playoff was divided into two playoff rounds, the Conference Semi-Finals and the Conference Finals, with the Conference Finals winners receiving Conference Championships and advancing to the WNBA Finals to determine the WNBA champion. In the final years of this playoff scheme, all in-conference playoff series were best-of-three.

In the current system, the eight best teams by the regular-season record, without regard to conference alignment, qualify for the playoffs. Since 2022, the playoffs have been held in a standard knockout format, with the first round consisting of best-of-three series and the semifinals and finals being best-of-five.[3] The higher seed will generally face a weaker team, and will have home-court advantage in each round. In 2024, all quarterfinal series used a 2–1 home-court pattern, which allowed the higher seed the opportunity to win the series without having to visit the lower seed. This in turn meant that a lower seed that won one of the first two games would host the series decider.[3] However, the quarterfinals will return to a 1–1–1 pattern in 2025, with the higher seed hosting the first game and a potential third game.[4]

The quarterfinals are bracketed in the normal manner for an 8-team tournament, with 1 vs. 8 and 4 vs. 5 on one side of the bracket and 2 vs. 7 and 3 vs. 6 on the other. The winners of each quarterfinal series advance to the semifinals, with the bracket not being reseeded. The semifinals use a 2–2–1 home-court pattern, meaning that the higher-seeded team will have home court in games 1, 2, and 5 while the other team plays at home in game 3 and 4. Through 2024, the finals were also played in a 2–2–1 home-court pattern. Starting in 2025, the finals will use the same 2–2–1–1–1 pattern currently used by the NBA.[4][5]

Teams

More information Team, City/Area ...
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Former teams

Defunct

Relocated

Western Conference champions

The WNBA awarded conference championships between 1998 and 2015 to the winners of the Conference Finals in the playoffs. Conference championships were not awarded in the 1997 inaugural season, and they were again discontinued since the WNBA adopted its current single-table playoff format in 2016.

WNBA champions in bold

All-time regular-season conference standings

2024 season

More information #, Team ...
# Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1 yxNew York Liberty328.80016–416–416–45–0
2 cxMinnesota Lynx3010.750214–616–414–64–1
3 xConnecticut Sun2812.700414–614–614–64–1
4 xLas Vegas Aces2713.675512–813–714–62–3
5 xSeattle Storm2515.625713–714–611–94–1
6 xIndiana Fever2020.5001211–912–88–123–2
7 xPhoenix Mercury1921.4751310–1010–109–113–2
8 xAtlanta Dream1525.375177–138–127–131–4
9 eWashington Mystics1426.350187–135–159–111–4
10 eChicago Sky1327.325195–156–147–131–4
11 eDallas Wings931.225236–147–132–180–5
12 eLos Angeles Sparks832.200245–155–153–172–3
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Notes

(#) – League Standing
c – Commissioner's Cup winners
y – Regular Season Champion
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

2023 season

More information #, W ...
# Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1 xLas Vegas Aces346.85018–219–115–59–1
2 xNew York Liberty328.800216–415–517–37–3
3 xConnecticut Sun2713.675714–613–714–67–3
4 xDallas Wings2218.5501211–911–911–96–4
5 xAtlanta Dream1921.4751511–911–98–126–4
6 xMinnesota Lynx1921.4751512–89–1110–105–5
7 xWashington Mystics1921.475159–1112–87–135–5
8 xChicago Sky1822.450165–157–1311–93–7
9 eLos Angeles Sparks1723.425179–1110–107–135–5
10 eIndiana Fever1327.325215–156–147–132–8
11 eSeattle Storm1129.275238–124–167–134–6
12 ePhoenix Mercury931.225252–188–121–191–9
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Notes

(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from postseason contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

2022 season

More information #, W ...
# W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1 xLas Vegas Aces2610.72215–313–513–59–1
2 xChicago Sky2610.72215–314–412–69–1
3 xConnecticut Sun2511.6941.011–713–512–65–5
4 xSeattle Storm2214.6114.010–813–59–96–4
5 xWashington Mystics2214.6114.011–712–610–85–5
6 xDallas Wings1818.5008.08–108–1010–85–5
7 xNew York Liberty1620.44410.010–89–97–116–4
8 xPhoenix Mercury1521.41711.07–1111–74–143–7
9 eMinnesota Lynx1422.38912.08–107–117–114–6
10 eAtlanta Dream1422.38912.05–138–106–123–7
11 eLos Angeles Sparks1323.36113.06–127–116–123–7
12 eIndiana Fever531.13921.02–163–152–162–8
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Notes

(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

2021 season

More information #, Team ...
# Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1 xConnecticut Sun266.81312–315–111–59–1
2 xLas Vegas Aces248.750211–413–311–56–4
3 xMinnesota Lynx2210.688410–513–39–77–3
4 xSeattle Storm2111.65659–611–510–68–2
5 xPhoenix Mercury1913.59476–97–912–45–5
6 xChicago Sky1616.5001010–56–1010–66–4
7 xDallas Wings1418.438127–87–97–93–7
8 xNew York Liberty1220.375146–97–95–115–5
9 eWashington Mystics1220.375147–88–84–124–6
10 eLos Angeles Sparks1220.375142–138–84–121–9
11 eAtlanta Dream824.250186–94–124–124–6
12 eIndiana Fever626.188204–114–122–142–8
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Notes

(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

2020 season

More information #, Team ...
# Team W L PCT GB Conf.
1 xLas Vegas Aces184.8188–2
2 xSeattle Storm184.8188–2
3 xLos Angeles Sparks157.68235–5
4 xMinnesota Lynx148.63644–6
5 xPhoenix Mercury139.59154–6
6 xChicago Sky1210.54566–4
7 xConnecticut Sun1012.45587–3
8 xWashington Mystics913.40996–4
9 eDallas Wings814.364101–9
10 eAtlanta Dream715.318115–5
11 eIndiana Fever616.273124–6
12 eNew York Liberty220.091162–8
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Notes

x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoffs
Home and Away records not shown, as all games played at a neutral location.
Updated to include results from September 13, 2020
Source

2019 season

More information #, W ...
# Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Los Angeles Sparks (3)2212.64715–27–1010–6
2 Las Vegas Aces (4)2113.618113–48–911–5
3 Seattle Storm (6)1816.529411–67–1010–6
4 Minnesota Lynx (7)1816.529411–67–107–9
5 Phoenix Mercury (8)1519.44179–86–115–11
6 e Dallas Wings1024.294128–92–155–11
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Notes

(#) – Conference Standing, Playoff Seeds shown to the right of team name
e – Eliminated from playoffs

2018 season

More information #, W ...
# Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Seattle Storm (1)268.76513–413–411–5
2 Phoenix Mercury (5)2014.58869–811–68–8
3 Los Angeles Sparks (6)1915.559711–68–99–7
4 Minnesota Lynx (7)1816.52989–89–89–7
5 Dallas Wings (8)1519.4411110–75–127–9
6 e Las Vegas Aces1420.412128–96–114–12
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Notes

(#) – Conference Standing, Playoff Seeds shown to the right of team name
x – Qualified for playoffs
e – Eliminated from playoffs

2017 season

More information #, W ...
# Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Minnesota Lynx - (1)277.79415–212–513–3
2 Los Angeles Sparks - (2)268.765116–110–712–4
3 Phoenix Mercury - (5)1816.52999–89–87–9
4 Dallas Wings - (7)1618.4711110–76–117–9
5 Seattle Storm - (8)1519.4411210–75–128–8
6 San Antonio Stars - e826.235196–112–151–15
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Notes

(#) – Conference Standing
Playoff Seeds shown next to team name
e – Eliminated from playoffs

2016 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 - Minnesota Lynx286.82415–213–415–1
2 - Los Angeles Sparks268.765214–312–511–5
7 - Seattle Storm1618.4711210–76–117–9
8 - Phoenix Mercury1618.4711211–65–126–10
e - Dallas Wings1123.324176–115–128–8
e - San Antonio Stars727.206214–133–141–15
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Notes

# – Playoff seed
e – Eliminated from playoffs

2015 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
z - Minnesota Lynx2212.64713–49–816–6
x - Phoenix Mercury2014.588213–47–1015–7
x - Tulsa Shock1816.529412–56–1111–11
x - Los Angeles Sparks1420.41289–85–1210–12
e - Seattle Storm1024.294128–92–158–14
e - San Antonio Stars826.235147–101–166–16
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2014 season

More information #, Team ...
# Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB GP
1 y-Phoenix Mercury295.853-34
2 x-Minnesota Lynx259.7354.034
3 x-San Antonio Stars1618.47113.034
4 x-Los Angeles Sparks1618.47113.034
5 e-Tulsa Shock1222.35317.034
6 e-Seattle Storm1222.35317.034
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2013 season

More information #, Team ...
# Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB GP
1 z-Minnesota Lynx268.765-34
2 x-Los Angeles Sparks2410.706234
3 x-Phoenix Mercury1915.559734
4 x-Seattle Storm1717.500934
5 e-San Antonio Silver Stars1222.3531434
6 e-Tulsa Shock1123.3241534
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2012 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Minnesota Lynx z277.79416–111–617–5
Los Angeles Sparks x2410.7063.016–18–915–7
San Antonio Silver Stars x2113.6186.012–59–814–8
Seattle Storm x1618.47111.010–76–1111–11
Tulsa Shock o925.26518.06–113–145–17
Phoenix Mercury o727.20620.03–144–134–18
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2011 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Minnesota Lynx x277.79414–313–418–4
Seattle Storm x2113.6186.015–26–1115–7
Phoenix Mercury x1915.5598.011–68–911–11
San Antonio Silver Stars x1816.5299.09–89–811–11
Los Angeles Sparks o1519.44112.010–75–1210–12
Tulsa Shock o331.08824.02–151–161–21
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2010 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Seattle Storm x286.82417–011–620–2
Phoenix Mercury x1519.44113.09–86–1113–9
San Antonio Silver Stars x1420.41214.08–96–1111–11
Los Angeles Sparks x1321.38215.08–95–1210–12
Minnesota Lynx o1321.38215.07–106–118–14
Tulsa Shock o628.17622.04–132–154–18
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2009 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Phoenix Mercury x2311.67612–511–613–7
Seattle Storm x2014.5883.013–47–1013–7
Los Angeles Sparks x1816.5295.011–67–1011–9
San Antonio Silver Stars x1519.4418.010–75–1210–10
Minnesota Lynx o1420.4129.09–85–127–13
Sacramento Monarchs o1222.35311.07–105–126–14
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2008 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
San Antonio Silver Stars x2410.70615–29–810–10
Seattle Storm x2212.6472.016–16–1113–7
Los Angeles Sparks x2014.5884.012–58–912–8
Sacramento Monarchs x1816.5296.05–1213–49–11
Houston Comets o1717.5007.013–44–1310–10
Minnesota Lynx o1618.4718.010–76–118–12
Phoenix Mercury o1618.4718.09–87–108–12
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2007 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Phoenix Mercury x2311.67612–511–617–5
San Antonio Silver Stars x2014.5883.09–811–613–9
Sacramento Monarchs x1915.5594.012–57–1012–10
Seattle Storm x1717.5006.012–55–1211–11
Houston Comets o1321.38210.07–106–1110–12
Minnesota Lynx o1024.29413.07–103–148–14
Los Angeles Sparks o1024.29413.05–125–126–16
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2006 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Los Angeles Sparks x259.73515–210–715–5
Sacramento Monarchs x2113.6184.014–37–1010–10
Houston Comets x1816.5297.012–56–1111–9
Seattle Storm x1816.5297.09–89–810–10
Phoenix Mercury o1816.5297.010–78–98–12
San Antonio Silver Stars o1321.38212.06–117–1010–10
Minnesota Lynx o1024.29415.08–92–156–14
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2005 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Sacramento Monarchs x259.73515–210–717–5
Seattle Storm x2014.5885.014–36–1113–9
Houston Comets x1915.5596.011–68–911–11
Los Angeles Sparks x1717.5008.011–66–1112–10
Phoenix Mercury o1618.4719.011–65–1212–10
Minnesota Lynx o1420.41211.011–63–149–13
San Antonio Silver Stars o727.20618.05–122–153–19
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2004 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Los Angeles Sparks x259.73515–210–716–6
Seattle Storm x2014.5885.013–47–1013–9
Minnesota Lynx x1816.5297.011–67–1012–10
Sacramento Monarchs x1816.5297.010–78–912–10
Phoenix Mercury o1717.5008.010–77–1011–11
Houston Comets o1321.38212.09–84–137–15
San Antonio Silver Stars o925.26516.06–113–146–16
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2003 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
Los Angeles Sparks x2410.70611–613–417–7
Houston Comets x2014.5884.014–36–1114–10
Sacramento Monarchs x1915.5595.012–57–1013–11
Minnesota Lynx x1816.5296.011–67–1014–10
Seattle Storm o1816.5296.013–45–1211–13
San Antonio Silver Stars o1222.35312.09–83–1410–14
Phoenix Mercury o826.23516.06–112–155–19
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2002 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT Conf. GB
Los Angeles Sparks x257.78117–4
Houston Comets x248.75016–51.0
Utah Starzz x2012.62512–95.0
Seattle Storm x1715.53110–118.0
Portland Fire o1616.5008–139.0
Sacramento Monarchs o1418.4388–1311.0
Phoenix Mercury o1121.3447–1414.0
Minnesota Lynx o1022.3136–1515.0
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2001 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT Conf. GB
Los Angeles Sparks x284.87519–2
Sacramento Monarchs x2012.62513–88.0
Utah Starzz x1913.59411–109.0
Houston Comets x1913.59413–89.0
Phoenix Mercury o1319.4068–1315.0
Minnesota Lynx o1220.3759–1216.0
Portland Fire o1121.3445–1617.0
Seattle Storm o1022.3136–1518.0
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2000 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT Conf. GB
Los Angeles Sparks x284.87517–4
Houston Comets x275.84417–41.0
Sacramento Monarchs x2111.65613–87.0
Phoenix Mercury x2012.62511–108.0
Utah Starzz o1814.56313–810.0
Minnesota Lynx o1517.4695–1613.0
Portland Fire o1022.3134–1718.0
Seattle Storm o626.1884–1722.0
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1999 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT Conf. GB
Houston Comets x266.81316–4
Los Angeles Sparks x2012.62512–86.0
Sacramento Monarchs x1913.5949–117.0
Phoenix Mercury o1517.4697–1311.0
Minnesota Lynx o1517.4698–1211.0
Utah Starzz o1517.4698–1211.0
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1998 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT Conf. GB
Houston Comets x273.90015–1
Phoenix Mercury x1911.63310–68.0
Los Angeles Sparks o1218.4006–1015.0
Sacramento Monarchs o822.2675–1119.0
Utah Starzz o822.2674–1219.0
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1997 season

More information W, L ...
Western Conference W L PCT Conf. GB
Phoenix Mercury x1612.5719–3
Los Angeles Sparks o1414.5008–42.0
Sacramento Monarchs o1018.3574–86.0
Utah Starzz o721.2503–99.0
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References

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