2001 WNBA playoffs
The 2001 WNBA Playoffs was the postseason for the Women's National Basketball Association's 2001 season which ended with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Sparks beating the Eastern Conference champion Charlotte Sting, 2-0. Lisa Leslie was named the MVP of the Finals.
Format
- The top 4 teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs.
- All 4 teams are seeded by basis of their standings.
Road to the playoffs
Eastern Conference
| Eastern Conference | W | L | PCT | Conf. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Rockers x | 22 | 10 | .688 | 15–6 | – |
| New York Liberty x | 21 | 11 | .656 | 13–8 | 1.0 |
| Miami Sol x | 20 | 12 | .625 | 14–7 | 2.0 |
| Charlotte Sting x | 18 | 14 | .563 | 15–6 | 4.0 |
| Orlando Miracle o | 13 | 19 | .406 | 9–12 | 9.0 |
| Indiana Fever o | 10 | 22 | .313 | 7–14 | 12.0 |
| Detroit Shock o | 10 | 22 | .313 | 7–14 | 12.0 |
| Washington Mystics o | 10 | 22 | .313 | 4–17 | 12.0 |
Western Conference
| Western Conference | W | L | PCT | Conf. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Sparks x | 28 | 4 | .875 | 19–2 | – |
| Sacramento Monarchs x | 20 | 12 | .625 | 13–8 | 8.0 |
| Utah Starzz x | 19 | 13 | .594 | 11–10 | 9.0 |
| Houston Comets x | 19 | 13 | .594 | 13–8 | 9.0 |
| Phoenix Mercury o | 13 | 19 | .406 | 8–13 | 15.0 |
| Minnesota Lynx o | 12 | 20 | .375 | 9–12 | 16.0 |
| Portland Fire o | 11 | 21 | .344 | 5–16 | 17.0 |
| Seattle Storm o | 10 | 22 | .313 | 6–15 | 18.0 |
Note:Teams with an "X" clinched playoff spots.
Playoffs
East First round
Charlotte 2, Cleveland 1
- G1: CHA 53, CLE 46
- G2: CLE 69, CHA 51
- G3: CHA 72, CLE 64
New York 2, Miami 1
- G1: NYL 62, MIA 46
- G2: MIA 53, NYL 50
- G3: NYL 72, MIA 61
West First round
L.A. 2, Houston 0
- G1: LA 64, HOU 59
- G2: LA 70, HOU 58
Sacramento 2, Utah 0
- G1: SAC 89, UTA 65
- G2: SAC 71, UTA 66
Eastern Conference Finals
Charlotte 2, New York 1
- G1: NYL 61, CHA 57
- G2: CHA 62, NYL 53
- G3: CHA 48, NYL 44
Western Conference Finals
L.A. 2, Sacramento 1
- G1: LA 74, SAC 73
- G2: SAC 80, LA 60
- G3: LA 93, SAC 62
WNBA Finals
Los Angeles defeats Charlotte, 2-0
- L.A. 75, Charlotte 66 (Aug. 30)
- L.A. 82, Charlotte 54 (Sept. 1)[1]