WNBA playoff schedule: How to watch Golden State Valkyries' first-round games against Minnesota Lynx

SAN FRANCISCO -- It's finally time -- the 2025 WNBA playoffs are back!

All eight teams are in action, with the No. 1 seed Minnesota Lynx taking on the expansion franchise Golden State Valkyries; the red-hot Las Vegas Aces hosting the Seattle Storm; the Atlanta Dream taking on the Indiana Fever; and the defending champion New York Liberty playing the Phoenix Mercury.

The best-of-three first round is a 1-1-1 format, with the higher seed hosting Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The semifinals is a best-of-five 2-2-1 setup, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2 and 5.

For the first time, the WNBA Finals will expand to a best-of-seven series (2-2-1-1-1) in which the higher seed would host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

Here's a look at the schedule for Valkyries' first-round games:

• Game 1: Valkyries at Lynx, Sunday, Sept. 14 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
Valkyries lose to Lynx, 101-72

• Game 2: Lynx at Valkyries, Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Valjyries lose to Lynx, 75-74

• Game 3*: No longer needed

Game 2 will be the Valkyries' first home playoff game in franchise history and will not be played at Chase Center due to the Laver Cup. Instead, it will take place at the SAP Center.

Tickets will go on sale for season ticket holders at 10 a.m. Friday and for the general public at 6 p.m.

For more information head to the Valkyries' website.

Title chances (per ESPN's BPI): 0.2%

What's on the line: Golden State (23-21), the league's first expansion team since 2008, has already become the first franchise to make the playoffs in its inaugural season. Now it will be attempting to become the first to win a series -- or even a title.

Projected starters: G Veronica Burton (12.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 4.4 RPG), F Cecilia Zandalasini (10.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.8 APG), F Janelle Salaun (11.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.2 APG), F Iliana Rupert (9.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG), C Temi Fagbenle (7.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG)

Why they could win: The Valkyries built their identity around defense during training camp, and it has paid off: They boast the fourth-best defensive rating in the league (99.9) and hold opponents to the fewest points per game (76.4). Players such as Burton, Carla Leite and Rupert have been revelations for Golden State in its first season, and the team's depth with veterans Tiffany Hayes, Monique Billings and Zandalasini give the Valkyries the experience to find success in the postseason.

Golden State has a certain level of grit that should make opponents nervous facing the Valkyries. No, this franchise has never been in the playoffs, but after making history so many times this season, they could do it again now.

Fatal flaw: The Valkyries have a bottom-five offense, scoring just 78.3 points per game -- fourth fewest in the league -- and shooting a league-worst 41.0% from the field. Their leading active scorer, Burton, has come up with big buckets and lit a spark for the team on multiple occasions, but she gets just 12.0 points per game, 38th in the WNBA.

Despite how strong their defense is, the Valkyries might not be able to produce enough offense and scoring to stay competitive and make a deep postseason run. -- Andrews

ESPN contributed to this article.