The first round of the WNBA playoffs changed this year, with the league moving from a 2-1 format to a 1-1-1 format. The first round follows a best of three format, and before this season, the higher seed of each matchup hosted the first two games while the lower seed hosted the final game if the series needed a third game. Now, the higher seed hosts the first and third game while the lower seed hosts the second game, meaning every playoff team is guaranteed a home game.
This new format not only involves more fanbases, but already seems to have brought increased excitement to the first round of the playoffs. Three of the first four series have extended to a third game, and the fourth between the Lynx and Valkyries nearly did as well before Minnesota pulled off a stunning comeback.
