2012 WNBA Playoffs

The 2012 WNBA Playoffs was the postseason for the Women's National Basketball Association's 2012 season. Four teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs, seeded 1 to 4 in a tournament bracket, with the two opening rounds in a best-of-three format, and the final in a best-of-five format.

2012 WNBA Playoffs
DatesSeptember 27 – October, 2012
ChampionsIndiana Fever (Finals Champion)
East championIndiana Fever (Coach: Lin Dunn)
West championMinnesota Lynx (Coach: Cheryl Reeve)
← 2011 2013 →
Standings
Eastern ConferenceWestern Conference
1st Connecticut1st Minnesota
2nd Indiana2nd Los Angeles
3rd Atlanta3rd San Antonio
4th New York4th Seattle

The Minnesota Lynx qualified as the overall top seed, and the Los Angeles Sparks, San Antonio Silver Stars, and Seattle Storm also qualified in the West. The Connecticut Sun were the top seed in the East, joined by the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, and New York Liberty.[1][2]

Minnesota won the Western Conference championship, and Indiana won the Eastern Conference championship. The Fever won the 2013 WNBA Finals, winning three games to the Lynx's one.

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 W L Tiebreaker Clinched
Playoff berth Conference homecourt
1 Connecticut Sun 25 9 – August 28 September 17
2 Indiana Fever 22 12 – August 31 –
3 Atlanta Dream 19 15 – September 14 –
4 New York Liberty 15 19 – September 18 –

Western Conference
Seed Team W L Tiebreaker Clinched
Playoff berth League homecourt
1 Minnesota Lynx 27 7 – August 19 September 15
2 Los Angeles Sparks 24 10 – August 23 –
3 San Antonio Silver Stars 21 13 – August 25 –
4 Seattle Storm 16 18 – September 9 –

Playoffs and Finals
See also: 2012 WNBA Finals
Conference Semi-Finals
Best-of-3 		Conference Finals
Best-of-3 		WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
         
E1 Connecticut 2
E4 New York 0
E1 Connecticut 1
Eastern Conference
E2 Indiana 2
E2 Indiana 2
E3 Atlanta 1
E2 Indiana 3
W1 Minnesota 1
W1 Minnesota 2
W4 Seattle 1
W1 Minnesota 2
Western Conference
W2 Los Angeles 0
W2 Los Angeles 2
W3 San Antonio 0

Eastern Conference

(1) Connecticut Sun vs. (4) New York Liberty
September 27
8:00pm ET
New York Liberty 60, Connecticut Sun 65
Scoring by quarter: 13–23, 21–18, 11–8, 15–16
Pts: Pondexter (14)
Rebs: Pierson (9)
Asts: Pondexter (6)		 Pts: Charles (17)
Rebs: Mims (7)
Asts: Hightower, Lawson (5)
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Attendance: 5,520
Referees:
  1. 55 Eric Brewton, #24 Tony Dawkins, #34 Maj Forsberg
September 29
7:00pm ET
Connecticut Sun 75, New York Liberty 62
Scoring by quarter: 11–22, 16–11, 23–19, 25–10
Pts: Charles (25)
Rebs: Charles (14)
Asts: Lawson (6)		 Pts: Pondexter (20)
Rebs: Vaughn (9)
Asts: Pierson (5)
Connecticut won the series, 2–0
Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Attendance: 7,854
Referees:
  1. 44 Felicia Grinter, #42 Roy Gulbeyan, #45 Tom Mauer
Regular-season series

Connecticut won the regular-season series 4–1:

(2) Indiana Fever vs. (3) Atlanta Dream
September 28
7:00pm ET
Atlanta Dream 75, Indiana Fever 66
Scoring by quarter: 25–15, 16–17, 18–14, 16–20
Pts: Harding (23)
Rebs: Lyttle, McCoughtry (9)
Asts: Harding (7)		 Pts: Douglas (13)
Rebs: Catchings (11)
Asts: Catchings, January (3)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 7,776
Referees:
  1. 38 Lamont Simpson, #9 Denise Brooks, #21 Byron Jarrett
September 30
4:00pm ET
Indiana Fever 103, Atlanta Dream 88
Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 25–21, 31–20, 25–23
Pts: Catchings (25)
Rebs: Catchings (13)
Asts: January (7)		 Pts: McCoughtry (22)
Rebs: de Souza (9)
Asts: Harding (6)
Philips Arena, Atlanta
Attendance: 6,890
Referees:
  1. 4 Sue Blauch, #8 Daryl Humphrey, #49 Kevin Sparrock
October 2
7:00pm ET
Atlanta Dream 64, Indiana Fever 75
Scoring by quarter: 17–25, 22–14, 12–15, 13–21
Pts: Harding (17)
Rebs: de Souza, Harding (7)
Asts: Price (4)		 Pts: Douglas (24)
Rebs: Larkins (20)
Asts: January (5)
Indiana won the series, 2–1
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 6,840
Referees:
  1. 39 Michael Price, #43 Brenda Pantoja, #45 Tom Mauer
Regular-season series

Indiana won the regular season series 3–2:

(1) Connecticut Sun vs. (2) Indiana Fever
October 5
8:00pm ET
Indiana Fever 64, Connecticut Sun 76
Scoring by quarter: 22–14, 8–16, 13–22, 21–24
Pts: Douglas (27)
Rebs: Catchings (9)
Asts: Catchings (5)		 Pts: Charles (18)
Rebs: Charles (15)
Asts: Montgomery (7)
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Attendance: 7,599
Referees:
  1. 4 Sue Blauch, #38 Lamont Simpson, #7 Clarke Stevens
October 8
8:00pm ET
Connecticut Sun 76, Indiana Fever 78
Scoring by quarter: 24–20, 19–26, 14–10, 19–22
Pts: Lawson (18)
Rebs: Jones (10)
Asts: Jones, Montgomery (4)		 Pts: Douglas (24)
Rebs: Larkins (11)
Asts: Douglas, January (2)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 9,225
Referees:
  1. 39 Michael Price, #18 Kurt Walker, #43 Brenda Pantoja
October 11
8:30pm ET
Indiana Fever 87, Connecticut Sun 71
Scoring by quarter: 18–10, 25–14, 25–24, 19–23
Pts: Catchings (22)
Rebs: Catchings (13)
Asts: Catchings, January (4)		 Pts: Charles (18)
Rebs: Charles (10)
Asts: Lawson (4)
Indiana won the series, 2–1
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Attendance: 6,516
Referees:
  1. 55 Eric Brewton, #9 Denise Brooks, #42 Roy Gulbeyan
Regular-season series

The Connecticut Sun won 3–1 in the regular season series:

Western Conference

(2) Los Angeles Sparks vs. (3) San Antonio Silver Stars
September 27
10:00pm ET
San Antonio Silver Stars 86, Los Angeles Sparks 93
Scoring by quarter: 25–24, 19–16, 23–25, 19–28
Pts: Hammon (19)
Rebs: Appel (7)
Asts: Hammon (6)		 Pts: Toliver (29)
Rebs: Parker (9)
Asts: Beard (3)
Galen Center, Los Angeles, CA
Attendance: 5,013
Referees:
  1. 39 Michael Price, #53 Jeff Smith, #13 Cameron Inouye
September 29
3:00pm ET
Los Angeles Sparks 101, San Antonio Silver Stars 94
Scoring by quarter: 26–16, 25–24, 31–26, 19–28
Pts: Parker (32)
Rebs: Parker (9)
Asts: Parker (6)		 Pts: Young (28)
Rebs: Adams (8)
Asts: Robinson (5)
Los Angeles won the series, 2–0
Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX
Attendance: 5,293
Referees:
  1. 31 Amy Bonner, #35 Billy Smith, #55 Eric Brewton
Regular-season series

San Antonio won the regular-season series 3–1:

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (4) Seattle Storm
September 28
9:00pm ET
Seattle Storm 70, Minnesota Lynx 78
Scoring by quarter: 15–18, 12–15, 24–27, 19–18
Pts: Stricklen (13)
Rebs: Stricklen, Thompson (7)
Asts: Wright (7)		 Pts: Whalen (20)
Rebs: Brunson (11)
Asts: Whalen (6)
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 9,213
Referees:
  1. 4 Sue Blauch, #8 Daryl Humphrey, #49 Kevin Sparrock
September 30
9:00pm ET
Minnesota Lynx 79, Seattle Storm 86 (2OT)
Scoring by quarter: 27–18, 10–18, 22–17, 11–17, Overtime: 9–16
Pts: Brunson (22)
Rebs: Brunson (15)
Asts: Whalen (5)		 Pts: Bird (22)
Rebs: Jackson (14)
Asts: Wright (7)
KeyArena, Seattle, WA
Attendance: 8,479
Referees:
  1. 7 Clarke Stevens, #39 Michael Price, #43 Brenda Pantoja
October 2
9:00 PM ET
Seattle Storm 72, Minnesota Lynx 73
Scoring by quarter: 14–22, 21–14, 17–20, 20–17
Pts: Bird (19)
Rebs: Jackson (6)
Asts: Bird (11)		 Pts: Augustus (21)
Rebs: Brunson (9)
Asts: McWilliams-Franklin (4)
Minnesota won the series, 2–1
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 8,023
Referees:
  1. 55 Eric Brewton, #9 Denise Brooks, #38 Lamont Simpson
Regular-season series

Minnesota won the regular-season series 3–1:

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (2) Los Angeles Sparks
October 4
8:00pm ET
Los Angeles Sparks 77, Minnesota Lynx 94
Scoring by quarter: 15–16, 16–32, 22–18, 24–28
Pts: Parker (25)
Rebs: Parker (11)
Asts: Parker (4)		 Pts: Moore (20)
Rebs: Brunson (10)
Asts: Augustus (7)
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 8,513
Referees:
  1. 42 Roy Gulbeyan, #8 Daryl Humphrey, #44 Felicia Grinter
October 7
3:30pm ET
Minnesota Lynx 80, Los Angeles Sparks 79
Scoring by quarter: 25–17, 15–22, 17–26, 23–14
Pts: Augustus (21)
Rebs: Brunson (10)
Asts: McWilliams-Franklin, Whalen (5)		 Pts: Parker (33)
Rebs: Parker (15)
Asts: Beard (7)
Minnesota won the series, 2–0
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Attendance: 10,791
Referees:
  1. 55 Eric Brewton, #45 Tom Mauer, #9 Denise Brooks
Regular-season series

The regular season series was tied 2–2:

WNBA Finals

Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana Fever
Main article: 2012 WNBA Finals
October 14
8:00pm ET
Indiana Fever 76, Minnesota Lynx 70
Scoring by quarter: 25–20, 18–20, 13–18, 20–12
Pts: Catchings (20)
Rebs: Larkins (15)
Asts: January (6)		 Pts: Augustus (23)
Rebs: Brunson, Moore (10)
Asts: Whalen (4)
Indiana lead series, 1–0
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 14,322
Referees:
  1. 4 Sue Blauch, #18 Kurt Walker, #45 Tom Mauer
October 17
8:00pm ET
Indiana Fever 71, Minnesota Lynx 83
Scoring by quarter: 18–11, 15–20, 22–29, 16–23
Pts: Catchings (27)
Rebs: Catchings (8)
Asts: Phillips (4)		 Pts: Augustus (27)
Rebs: Brunson (7)
Asts: McWilliams-Franklin, Moore, Whalen (4)
Series tied 1–1
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Attendance: 13,478
Referees:
  1. 39 Michael Price, #42 Roy Gulbeyan, #43 Brenda Pantoja
October 19
8:00pm ET
Minnesota Lynx 59, Indiana Fever 76
Scoring by quarter: 16–21, 11–24, 11–25, 21–6
Pts: Brunson (12)
Rebs: Brunson (9)
Asts: Wiggins (3)		 Pts: Zellous (30)
Rebs: Larkins (12)
Asts: Davenport (4)
Indiana lead series, 2–1
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 18,165
Referees:
  1. 9 Denise Brooks, #38 Lamont Simpson, #55 Eric Brewton
October 21
8:00pm ET
Minnesota Lynx 78, Indiana Fever 87
Scoring by quarter: 18–25, 24–22, 16–18, 20–24
Pts: Whalen (24)
Rebs: Augustus (7)
Asts: Whalen (8)		 Pts: Catchings (28)
Rebs: Larkins (13)
Asts: Catchings (8)
Indiana win series, 3–1
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Attendance: 15,213
Referees:
  1. 4 Sue Blauch, #39 Michael Price, #42 Roy Gulbeyan
Regular-season series

The Minnesota Lynx won the season series 2–0:

References
  1. "Lynx beat Shock 83–59, clinch playoff berth". Archived from the original on 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  2. WNBA Standings Archived November 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
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