WNBA playoffs set to begin with Aces, Liberty hoping to each make history

There was much hype before the WNBA season about the stellar teams in Las Vegas and New York.

Neither disappointed, finishing 1-2 in the standings with the defending champion Aces having the best record in the league at 34-6. New York was right behind. Now the two begin the postseason with history on the line.

A'ja Wilson is hoping to lead Las Vegas to a second straight title, something that hasn't been done since the Los Angeles Sparks won in 2001 and 2002. AP Player of the Year Breanna Stewart, who came to New York in the offseason as a free agent, hopes to bring the Liberty their first championship.

Las Vegas opens up against Chicago and Connecticut hosts Minnesota on Wednesday night in the postseason openers. New York plays Washington and Dallas goes against Atlanta on Friday night in Game 1 of their series.

For the second consecutive season, the playoff format for the opening round will feature the better seeded team hosting the first two games of the playoffs with the lower seed hosting the decisive third game if it's necessary. The four winning teams will then play a best-of-five semifinals and finals.