1997 WNBA playoffs

The 1997 WNBA playoffs was the postseason for the Women's National Basketball Association's 1997 season which ended with the Houston Comets beating the New York Liberty, 1-0 (65-51). Cynthia Cooper was named the MVP of the Finals. This was the first year of WNBA playoffs.

1997 WNBA playoffs

Dates	August 28–30, 1997
Final positions
Champions	Houston Comets (Finals Champion)
East champion	New York Liberty (Coach: Nancy Darsch)
West champion	Houston Comets (Coach: Van Chancellor)
1998 →

Regular season standings

Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference	W	L	PCT	Conf.	GB
Houston Comets x	18	10	.643	6–6	–
New York Liberty x	17	11	.607	8–4	1.0
Charlotte Sting x	15	13	.536	5–7	3.0
Cleveland Rockers o	15	13	.536	5–7	3.0

Western Conference

Western Conference	W	L	PCT	Conf.	GB
Phoenix Mercury x	16	12	.571	9–3	–
Los Angeles Sparks o	14	14	.500	8–4	2.0
Sacramento Monarchs o	10	18	.357	4–8	6.0
Utah Starzz o	7	21	.250	3–9	9.0

Note: Teams with an "X" clinched playoff spots.

Bracket

For the playoffs, the four teams with the best record in the league were seeded one to four. Houston was in the Eastern Conference so two Eastern Conference teams matched up in the WNBA Championship.

	Semifinals single game					WNBA Championship single game
	1	Houston	70
	4	Charlotte	54
						1	Houston	65
						2	New York	51
	2	New York	59
	3	Phoenix	41

• Bold – Game winner
• Italic – Team with home-court advantage

Semifinals

Charlotte Sting vs. Houston Comets

NBC

August 28

Recap

Charlotte Sting 54, Houston Comets 70
Scoring by half: 33–29, 21–41
Pts: Congreaves, Mapp 12 each Rebs: Vicky Bullett 9 Asts: Rhonda Mapp 5		Pts: Cynthia Cooper 31 Rebs: Tina Thompson 12 Asts: Cynthia Cooper 5

The Summit, Houston, Texas Attendance: 11,510 Referees: Sally Bell, Scott Yarbrough, Patty Broderick

New York Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury

ESPN/Lifetime

August 28

Recap

New York Liberty 59, Phoenix Mercury 41
Scoring by half: 23–18, 36–23
Pts: Rebecca Lobo 16 Rebs: Kym Hampton 14 Asts: Teresa Weatherspoon 5		Pts: Gillom, Askamp 9 each Rebs: Jennifer Gillom 7 Asts: Webb, Pettis 2 each

America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona Attendance: 16,751 Referees: Bob Trammel, June Courteau, Violet Palmer

WNBA Championship

Main article: 1997 WNBA Championship

August 30

Recap

New York Liberty 51, Houston Comets 65
Scoring by half: 24–28, 27–37
Pts: Kym Hampton 13 Rebs: Kym Hampton 13 Asts: Teresa Weatherspoon 5		Pts: Cynthia Cooper 25 Rebs: Tammy Jackson 11 Asts: Cynthia Cooper 4

The Summit, Houston, Texas Attendance: 16,285 Referees: Violet Palmer, June Courteau, Sally Bell

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