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2015 WNBA playoffs

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2015 WNBA Playoffs
DatesSeptember 17–October 14, 2015
Final positions
ChampionsMinnesota Lynx (Finals Champion)
East championIndiana Fever (Coach: Stephanie White)
West championMinnesota Lynx (Coach: Cheryl Reeve)
Tournament statistics
Attendance8,799 per game
← 20142016 →

The 2015 WNBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the WNBA's 2015 season.

Format

Following the WNBA regular season, four teams in each conference qualified for the playoffs and are seeded one to four based on their regular season record.

The first round of the playoffs, or Conference Semi-Finals, consisted of two match-ups in each conference based on the seedings (1-4 and 2-3). The two winners advanced to the second round, or Conference Finals, with a match-up between the 1-4 and 2-3 winners. At the conclusion of the Conference Finals, the winners of these series advanced to the WNBA Finals.

The Conference Semi-Finals and the Conference Finals are each best-of-three series. Series are played in a 1-1-1 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage (better record) hosts games 1 and 3, while their opponent hosts game 2. The WNBA Finals are a best-of-five series played in a 2-2-1 format, meaning the team with home-court advantage hosts games 1, 2, and 5 while their opponent hosts games 3 and 4.

Tiebreak procedures

Two-team tie

  1. Better record in head-to-head games.
  2. Better winning percentage within own conference.
  3. Better winning percentage against all teams with .500 or better record at the end of the season.
  4. Better point differential in games head-to-head.
  5. Coin toss.

Three or more-team tie

  1. Better winning percentage among all head-to-head games involving tied teams.
  2. Better winning percentage against teams within conference (for first two rounds of playoffs) or better record against teams in the opposite conference (for Finals).
  3. Better winning percentage against all teams with a .500 or better record at the end of the season.
  4. Better point differential in games involving tied teams.
  5. Coin toss.

Playoff qualifying

Eastern Conference

Seed Team Record Clinched
Playoff berth Best record
in Conference
Best record
in WNBA
1 New York Liberty 23–11 August 28 September 6 September 9
2 Chicago Sky 21–13 August 29
3 Indiana Fever 20–14 September 1
4 Washington Mystics 18–16 September 8

Western Conference

Seed Team Record Clinched
Playoff berth Best record
in Conference
Best record
in WNBA
1 Minnesota Lynx 22–12 August 11 September 8
2 Phoenix Mercury 20–14 August 21
3 Tulsa Shock 18–16 August 30
4 Los Angeles Sparks 14–20 September 6

Bracket

See also: 2015 WNBA Finals
Conference Semi-Finals:
Best-of-3
Conference Finals:
Best-of-3
WNBA Finals:
Best-of-5
         
E1 New York 2
E4 Washington 1
E1 New York 1
Eastern Conference
E3 Indiana 2
E2 Chicago 1
E3 Indiana 2
E3 Indiana 2
W1 Minnesota 3
W1 Minnesota 2
W4 Los Angeles 1
W1 Minnesota 2
Western Conference
W2 Phoenix 0
W2 Phoenix 2
W3 Tulsa 0
  • Bold – Series winner
  • Italics – Team with home-court advantage


Eastern Conference

All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)

Conference semifinals

(1) New York Liberty vs. (4) Washington Mystics

NBATV
September 18
7:00 PM
Game 1
Washington Mystics 86, New York Liberty 83 (2OT)
Scoring by quarter: 14–21, 22–15, 19–20, 14–13, Overtime: 7–7, 10–7
Pts: Latta 15
Rebs: Meesseman 10
Asts: three tied 3
Pts: Prince 26
Rebs: Swords 9
Asts: Charles 5
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Attendance: 10,120
Referees: Michael Price, Cheryl Flores, Tom Mauer
ESPN
September 20
1:00 PM
Game 2
New York Liberty 86, Washington Mystics 68
Scoring by quarter: 23–15, 21–22, 26–15, 16–16
Pts: Charles 22
Rebs: Stokes 7
Asts: Wright 6
Pts: Hill 19
Rebs: Dolson, Meesseman 5
Asts: Ruffin-Pratt 4
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Attendance: 6,619
Referees: Daryl Humphrey, Denise Brooks, Kurt Walker
ESPN2
September 22
7:00 PM
Game 3
Washington Mystics 74, New York Liberty 79
Scoring by quarter: 25-15, 12-30, 20-12, 17-22
Pts: Latta 18
Rebs: Vaughn 9
Asts: Latta 7
Pts: Charles 22
Rebs: Stokes 13
Asts: Wright 5
New York wins series 2-1
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Attendance: 9,255
Referees: Roy Gulbeyan, Sue Blauch, Lamont Simpson
Regular-season series
Washington won 3–1 in the regular-season series
June 6, 2015
Report
New York Liberty 62, Washington Mystics 67
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
June 14, 2015
Report
Washington Mystics 74, New York Liberty 59
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
July 9, 2015
Report
New York Liberty 79, Washington Mystics 76 (OT)
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
September 11, 2015
Report
Washington Mystics 82, New York Liberty 55
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

(2) Chicago Sky vs. (3) Indiana Fever

ESPN2
September 17
8:00 PM
Game 1
Indiana Fever 72, Chicago Sky 77
Scoring by quarter: 15–24, 20–12, 16–18, 21–23
Pts: Catchings 21
Rebs: Larkins 10
Asts: January 7
Pts: Quigley 20
Rebs: Delle Donne 11
Asts: Quigley 6
UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL
Attendance: 4,098
Referees: Maj Forsberg, Jeff Smith, Eric Brewton
NBATV
September 19
7:00 PM
Game 2
Chicago Sky 82, Indiana Fever 89
Scoring by quarter: 20–20, 22–24, 23–25, 17–20
Pts: Vandersloot 19
Rebs: de Souza 8
Asts: Vandersloot 6
Pts: Catchings 22
Rebs: Larkins 12
Asts: Zellous 8
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 7,124
Referees: Amy Bonner, Lamont Simpson, Roy Gulbeyan
NBATV
September 21
8:00 PM
Game 3
Indiana Fever 100, Chicago Sky 89
Scoring by quarter: 28–28, 24–19, 19–16, 29–26
Pts: Catchings 27
Rebs: Catchings 9
Asts: January 8
Pts: Delle Donne 40
Rebs: Breland 8
Asts: Vandersloot 14
Indiana wins series 2–1
Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
Attendance: 2,882
Referees: Denise Brooks, Byron Jarrett, Thomas Nunez
Regular-season series
Chicago won 4–0 in the regular-season series
June 5, 2015
Report
Indiana Fever 72, Chicago Sky 95
Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
June 14, 2015
Report
Chicago Sky 98, Indiana Fever 72
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
June 26, 2015
Report
Chicago Sky 83, Indiana Fever 77
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
August 4, 2015
Report
Indiana Fever 82, Chicago Sky 106
Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL

Conference Finals: (1) New York Liberty vs. (3) Indiana Fever

ESPN2
September 23
7:00 PM
Game 1
Indiana Fever 67, New York Liberty 84
Scoring by quarter: 18–26, 24–22, 7–16, 18–20
Pts: Johnson 12
Rebs: Zellous 5
Asts: four tied 4
Pts: Stokes 21
Rebs: Charles 7
Asts: Charles 9
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Attendance: 7,229
Referees: Denise Brooks, Byron Jarrett, Eric Brewton
ESPN
September 27
1:00 PM
Game 2
New York Liberty 64, Indiana Fever 70
Scoring by quarter: 22–17, 22–12, 9–13, 11–28
Pts: Charles 25
Rebs: Stokes 11
Asts: Wright 5
Pts: Tamika Catchings 25
Rebs: Catchings 7
Asts: January 4
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 7,505
Referees: Sue Blauch, Maj Forsberg, Tom Mauer
ESPN2
September 29
7:00 PM
Game 3
Indiana Fever 66, New York Liberty 51
Scoring by quarter: 15–13, 18–9, 16–18, 17–11
Pts: Coleman 15
Rebs: Larkins 8
Asts: January 8
Pts: Wiggins 15
Rebs: Charles 10
Asts: Prince 4
Indiana wins series 2-1
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Attendance: 10,120
Referees: Michael Price, Roy Gulbeyan, Lamont Simpson
Regular-season series
Indiana won 4–1 in the regular-season series
June 9, 2015
Report
Indiana Fever 79, New York Liberty 86
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
June 19, 2015
Report
Indiana Fever 80, New York Liberty 63
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
July 29, 2015
Report
New York Liberty 72, Indiana Fever 84
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
August 23, 2015
Report
New York Liberty 79, Indiana Fever 80
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
September 13, 2015
Report
New York Liberty 76, Indiana Fever 81
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Western Conference

All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)

Conference semifinals

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (4) Los Angeles Sparks

NBATV
September 18
9:00 PM
Game 1
Los Angeles Sparks 65, Minnesota Lynx 67
Scoring by quarter: 15–22, 21–11, 13–22, 16–12
Pts: Parker 16
Rebs: Parker 9
Asts: Parker 4
Pts: Moore 33
Rebs: Fowles 9
Asts: Cruz 5
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 8,333
Referees: Sue Blauch, Daryl Humphrey, Jeff Wooten
ESPN
September 20
3:00 PM
Game 2
Minnesota Lynx 71, Los Angeles Sparks 81
Scoring by quarter: 23–24, 12–29, 20–10, 16–18
Pts: Moore 27
Rebs: three tied 7
Asts: Whalen 5
Pts: Parker 25
Rebs: Parker 10
Asts: Dabović 7
Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, CA
Attendance: 3,112
Referees: Maj Forsberg, Billy Smith, Michael Price
ESPN2
September 22
9:00 PM
Game 3
Los Angeles Sparks 80, Minnesota Lynx 91
Scoring by quarter: 10-18, 20-25, 27-20, 23-28
Pts: Parker 28
Rebs: Parker 13
Asts: Ogwumike, Parker 4
Pts: Moore 20
Rebs: Moore 8
Asts: Brunson 5
Minnesota wins series 2-1
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 9,014
Referees: Eric Brewton, Amy Bonner, Tom Mauer
Regular-season series
Minnesota won 3–1 in the regular-season series
June 16, 2015
Report
Minnesota Lynx 67, Los Angeles Sparks 52
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
July 29, 2015
Report
Los Angeles Sparks 76, Minnesota Lynx 82
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
August 4, 2015
Report
Minnesota Lynx 61, Los Angeles Sparks 83
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
August 9, 2015
Report
Los Angeles Sparks 64, Minnesota Lynx 72
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

(2) Phoenix Mercury vs. (3) Tulsa Shock

ESPN2
September 17
10:00 PM
Game 1
Tulsa Shock 55, Phoenix Mercury 88
Scoring by quarter: 15–22, 7–30, 22–16, 11–20
Pts: Sims 18
Rebs: Paris 7
Asts: Sims 3
Pts: Griner 18
Rebs: Griner 8
Asts: Mitchell 6
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Attendance: 8,509
Referees: Denise Brooks, Byron Jarrett, Thomas Nunez
NBATV
September 19
9:00 PM
Game 2
Phoenix Mercury 91, Tulsa Shock 67
Scoring by quarter: 19–19, 22–12, 23–17, 27–19
Pts: Griner 23
Rebs: Griner 12
Asts: Xargay, Mitchell 3
Pts: Sims 22
Rebs: Paris 8
Asts: Sims 7
Phoenix wins series 2–0
BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
Attendance: 3,261
Referees: Sue Blauch, Tony Dawkins, Eric Brewton
Regular-season series
Phoenix won 3–2 in the regular-season series
July 2, 2015
Report
Tulsa Shock 55, Phoenix Mercury 86
US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
July 30, 2015
Report
Phoenix Mercury 78, Tulsa Shock 66
BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
August 4, 2015
Report
Tulsa Shock 84, Phoenix Mercury 87 (OT)
US Airways Centers, Phoenix, AZ
August 18, 2015
Report
Phoenix Mercury 59, Tulsa Shock 74
BOK Center, Tulsa, OK
September 13, 2015
Report
Phoenix Mercury 87, Tulsa Shock 91
BOK Center, Tulsa, OK

Conference Finals: (1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (2) Phoenix Mercury

ESPN2
September 24
8:00 PM
Game 1
Phoenix Mercury 60, Minnesota Lynx 67
Scoring by quarter: 21–14, 11–21, 14–14, 14–18
Pts: Bonner 21
Rebs: Dupree 12
Asts: Bonner 5
Pts: Moore 19
Rebs: Brunson 19
Asts: Whalen 5
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 8,732
Referees: Michael Price, Roy Gulbeyan, Maj Forsberg
ESPN
September 27
3:00 PM
Game 2
Minnesota Lynx 72, Phoenix Mercury 71
Scoring by quarter: 25–15, 16–26, 17–18, 14–12
Pts: Moore 40
Rebs: Fowles 14
Asts: Moore, Whalen 4
Pts: Dupree 16
Rebs: Currie 7
Asts: Currie 6
Minnesota wins series 2-0
Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Attendance: 9,871
Referees: Kurt Walker, Amy Bonner, Eric Brewton
Regular-season series
Phoenix won 3–2 in the regular-season series
June 14, 2015
Report
Minnesota Lynx 66, Phoenix Mercury 81
US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
June 27, 2015
Report
Phoenix Mercury 56, Minnesota Lynx 71
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
August 7, 2015
Report
Minnesota Lynx 66, Phoenix Mercury 73
US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
August 23, 2015
Report
Minnesota Lynx 67, Phoenix Mercury 79
US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
August 30, 2015
Report
Phoenix Mercury 61, Minnesota Lynx 71
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

WNBA Finals

Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever

Main article: 2015 WNBA Finals
ABC
October 4
3:00 PM
Game 1
Indiana Fever 75, Minnesota Lynx 69
Scoring by quarter: 10–10, 25–19, 19–18, 21–22
Pts: January 19
Rebs: Larkins 8
Asts: January 6
Pts: Moore 27
Rebs: Moore 12
Asts: Augustus, Whalen 4
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 11,023
Referees: Sue Blauch, Eric Brewton, Kurt Walker
ESPN2
October 6
8:00 PM
Game 2
Indiana Fever 71, Minnesota Lynx 77
Scoring by quarter: 24–20, 17–19, 18–24, 12–14
Pts: January 17
Rebs: Catchings, Larkins 9
Asts: Catchings, January 5
Pts: Fowles 21
Rebs: Fowles 9
Asts: Cruz, Moore 5
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 12,134
Referees: Michael Price, Maj Forsberg, Lamont Simpson
ESPN2
October 9
8:00 PM
Game 3
Minnesota Lynx 80, Indiana Fever 77
Scoring by quarter: 20–19, 18–23, 21–15, 21–20
Pts: Moore 24
Rebs: Fowles 11
Asts: Cruz 5
Pts: Johnson 17
Rebs: Catchings 10
Asts: January 8
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 16,332
Referees: Denise Brooks, Roy Gulbeyan, Tom Mauer
ESPN
October 11
8:30 PM
Game 4
Minnesota Lynx 69, Indiana Fever 75
Scoring by quarter: 20–15, 12–21, 14–22, 23–17
Pts: Moore 20
Rebs: Moore 8
Asts: six tied 2
Pts: Johnson 15
Rebs: Larkins 6
Asts: January 5
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 10,582
Referees: Sue Blauch, Eric Brewton, Maj Forsberg
ESPN2
October 14
8:00 PM
Game 5
Indiana Fever 52, Minnesota Lynx 69
Scoring by quarter: 17–15, 4–12, 8–21, 23–21
Pts: Catchings 18
Rebs: Catchings 11
Asts: January, Zellous 3
Pts: Fowles 20
Rebs: Brunson 14
Asts: Moore 5
Minnesota wins series 3-2
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 18,933
Referees: Michael Price, Denise Brooks, Roy Gulbeyan
Regular-season series
Minnesota won 2–0 in the regular-season series
June 6, 2015
Report
Minnesota Lynx 78, Indiana Fever 69
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
September 4, 2015
Report
Indiana Fever 65, Minnesota Lynx 81
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

References

WNBA playoffs
List of playoff series
Finals
Droughts
Streaks
1990s
1997 1998 1999
2000s
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010s
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020s
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
2015 WNBA season by team
Eastern
Western
Category: