The field of 8 for the WNBA playoffs is set. Eight teams. Eight different stories, but each unique. Some fought through injuries, some carried the weight of expectations, and some shocked the league by simply making it this far. But from this point on, none of that matters. As Odyssey Sims put it best: “New season starts on Sunday. Everybody’s 0-0… It’s do or die.” Now, it’s all about who wants it most.

The storylines have already been intriguing. The defending champions New York Liberty are looking to retain their crown for the second time running. The Minnesota Lynx, though, haven’t forgotten the sting of last season, and this year they come back burning for revenge. The Las Vegas Aces, never ones to fade quietly, are circling around to reclaim what was once theirs. And then there are the Indiana Fever–limping, battered by five season-ending injuries, yet still unwilling to bow out. The Commissioner’s Cup was proof that the Fever thrive when no one gives them a chance as they came out on top against eventual league leaders Lynx as Natasha Howard and Aaliyah Boston dominated proceedings.

However, none of that matters anymore, as we arrive to the business end of the WNBA campaign. With excitement already through the roof, it’s time to break down what the playoff format looks like this year. Spoiler: the rulebook has a few surprises this time.

Breaking Down the WNBA Playoff Format

• The WNBA playoffs tip off Sunday, September 14, with a fresh twist in store. The first round keeps its best-of-three format, and the matchups are set: No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. But this time, that’s exactly where the biggest rule change comes into play.

• In past seasons, the higher seed hosted the first two games. This year, the format shifts to 1:1:1– the higher seed gets home court for Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. A small change with a big impact. Imagine if last year’s Connecticut Sun had to play Game 2 in Indiana? The dynamics could have been completely different.
• The semifinals step up to a best-of-five showdown. The format shifts to 2:2:1, giving the higher seed home court for Games 1, 2, and, if it comes down to it, Game 5.
• For the first time in WNBA history, the Finals will go the full best-of-seven, following the NBA’s 2:2:1:1:1 format. The higher seed hosts Games 1 and 2, and, if it comes down to it, Games 5 and 7. Imagine if this rule had been in place last year….the Lynx might still have been in the hunt!

For those tuning in to the playoffs for the first time, you might be wondering–what happens if the game is tied? Do the same rules apply? Let’s break it down!

How Overtime Works in the WNBA

On June 9, we got the WNBA’s first overtime of the season when the Golden State Valkyries edged the Los Angeles Sparks 89-81. And guess what? The same rules will carry over into the playoffs. So, let’s break them down one by one.

• Overtime Period Length: Each overtime lasts 5 minutes. If the game’s still tied after that? Add another 5, and keep going until someone comes out on top.
• Start of Overtime: After a short 2-minute break, the game picks up right where it left off. The score carries over
• Timeouts: As per WNBA rules, “one unused regular or 20-second timeout(s) can be carried over as an additional 20-second timeout, with a maximum of two 20-second timeouts per team permitted in any overtime period. There is no restriction as to when a team must call its timeouts during any overtime period.”
• Fouls: Personal fouls don’t reset when the game heads to OT. Whatever you racked up in regulation carries over, and once a player hits six fouls, they’re done for the night.