WNBA playoffs are underway: Here is the schedule for Fever vs. Sun series

INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa's own Caitlin Clark has already had an outstanding rookie year in the WNBA, but it's not over yet. 

Clark and the Indiana Fever will soon head to the WNBA playoffs, marking the first time since 2016 the franchise has reached postseason play. 

Clark, who was recently named WNBA Rookie of the Year, has already made league history. In a recent game against the Dallas Wings, Clark set the rookie record for most points in a season. Before that, Clark also set the WNBA's single-season record for assists.

Whether you're rooting for Clark and the Indiana Fever or any of the other teams, here's what to know about the WNBA playoffs. 

How do the WNBA playoffs work? 

Eight out of 12 WNBA teams will participate in the playoffs. Each team is seeded based on its record throughout the regular season. With games still left to be played, that means there could still be some shifting based on each team's final performance. 

During the first round, teams will play a best-of-three series against their opponents. The four teams that advance will move to the semifinals, which follows a best-of-five format. 

The two teams that remain will face off in the finals, which also is decided by best-of-five games. 

The first round of the WNBA playoffs begins on Sunday, Sept. 22, just a few short days after the Fever's final regular season game. The WNBA playoffs ends on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the latest. 

More on the playoffs schedule later...

Who will the Indiana Fever play in the playoffs? 

Based on final WNBA standings, the Indiana Fever will meet No. 3 Connecticut Sun in the first round of playoffs. The Connecticut Sun are 27-11 on the season and have faced the Fever four times this season, leading the young team 3-1. 

The Sun defeated the Fever in the first game, 93-69.

WNBA standings

The top eight teams in the WNBA standings will compete in the playoffs starting Sept. 22. 

Here are the standings for all 12 teams following the last regular season game:

1. New York Liberty (32-8)
2. Minnesota Lynx (30-10)
3. Connecticut Sun (28-12)
4. Las Vegas Aces (27-13)
5. Seattle Storm (25-15)
6. Indiana Fever (20-20)
7. Phoenix Mercury (19-21)
8. Atlanta Dream (15-25)
9. Washington Mystics (14-26)
10. Chicago Sky (13-27)
11. Dallas Wings (9-31)
12. Los Angeles Sparks (8-32)

Note: The teams in bold have clinched a playoffs berth.

WNBA playoffs schedule 

The Indiana Fever will face the Sun for their first playoffs game at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 22. Read on below for the full playoffs schedule or view it on the WNBA website here. 

FIRST ROUND

Sunday, Sept. 22

• Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty, Game 1 (ESPN, 12 p.m.)
• Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun, Game 1 (ABC, 2 p.m.)
• Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx, Game 1 (ESPN, 4 p.m.)
• Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces, Game 1 (ESPN, 9 p.m.)

Tuesday, Sept. 24

• Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty, Game 2 (ESPN, 6:30 p.m.)
• Seattle Storm vs. Las Vegas Aces, Game 2 (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, Sept. 25

• Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun, Game 2 (ESPN, 6:30 p.m.)
• Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx, Game 2 (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.)

Thursday, Sept. 26

• New York Liberty vs. Atlanta Dream, Game 3 if necessary (ESPN 2, Time TBD)
• Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm, Game 3 if necessary (ESPN 2, Time TBD)

Friday, Sept. 27

• Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury, Game 3 if necessary (ESPN 2, Time TBD)
• Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever, Game 3 if necessary (ESPN 2, Time TBD)

SEMIFINALS

Sunday, Sept. 29

• Matchup #1, Game 1
• Matchup #2, Game 1

Tuesday, Oct. 1

• Matchup #1, Game 2
• Matchup #2, Game 2

Friday, Oct. 4

• Matchup #1, Game 3
• Matchup #2, Game 3

Sunday, Oct. 6

• Matchup #1, Game 4*
• Matchup #2, Game 4*

Tuesday, Oct. 8 

• Matchup #1, Game 5*
• Matchup #2, Game 5*

*If necessary

FINALS

Thursday, Oct. 10

• Game 1

Sunday, Oct. 13

• Game 2

Wednesday, Oct. 16

• Game 3

Friday, Oct. 18

• Game 4* 

Sunday, Oct. 20

• Game 5*

*If necessary