The WNBA’s postseason arrived with a twist: the Golden State Valkyries, a brand-new expansion team, crashed the bracket as the 8-seed and drew the Minnesota Lynx, last year’s finalists. They went 0–3 to the Lynx in the regular season, but the playoffs don’t care about old math. Behind Veronica Burton, the Valkyries get a shot at Napheesa Collier and a veteran roster that knows how to grind out series wins.
This surge in storylines is riding a wave of interest. ESPN reported WNBA regular-season viewership jumped 170% in 2024, and Finals audiences climbed 115%. Caitlin Clark drove a ton of that attention, with rookies like Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Sonia Citron, and KiKi Iriafen keeping the spotlight hot. If you want one simple setup for the bulk of the action, Sling is the most budget-friendly route to the ESPN family and NBA TV. Here’s how to make it work without guesswork.
How to watch every game on Sling
If you want the most WNBA playoff games in one place, start with Sling Orange and add the Sports Extra pack. Sling Orange (listed at $46/month) includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, plus access to 4K events when offered. Sports Extra (typically about $11/month) unlocks NBA TV. That combo covers most nationally televised playoff games without locking you into a contract.
WNBA rights are split across several partners. You’ll see games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ION, NBA TV, CBS, and CBS Sports Network, with a slice of exclusives on Prime Video. Sling gets you a big chunk of those, but not every channel is under the same roof.
- What you get with Sling Orange + Sports Extra: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, NBA TV, cloud DVR, and broad device support (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, mobile apps).
- What you may still need: ABC (often via a low-cost over-the-air antenna or occasional ESPN+ simulcasts when available), Prime Video for exclusive Thursday games, Paramount+ with Showtime for CBS-broadcast games (note: that doesn’t include CBS Sports Network), and ION (often best via antenna; availability on streaming bundles varies by market).
A quick heads-up on League Pass: Sling doesn’t carry it. If you want WNBA League Pass for the full season archive or extras, you have to buy it directly from the league. During the playoffs, national TV rights take priority anyway, so League Pass won’t carry many of those national broadcasts.
One more wrinkle: ABC and CBS are broadcast networks. Sling doesn’t deliver local ABC or CBS stations in most markets. Two easy fixes: pick up a basic indoor antenna for local over-the-air ABC and CBS, or use apps that carry simulcasts (ESPN+ sometimes streams ABC telecasts; Paramount+ with Showtime covers CBS-broadcast games but not CBS Sports Network). Availability can vary by region, so check the listings in your city.
Here’s the simplest setup if you want near-complete coverage without overspending:
- Get Sling Orange and add Sports Extra (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPN3 + NBA TV). That’s your core package.
- Add a cheap indoor antenna for ABC, CBS, and ION. It’s a one-time purchase, no monthly fee.
- Keep Prime Video active for the Thursday exclusives that roll into the postseason slate.
- If your local ABC game shows up in ESPN+, use that app as a backup stream when available.
- For CBS-broadcast games, use Paramount+ with Showtime if you don’t get CBS reliably over the air.
Technically speaking, Sling Orange allows one stream at a time. If you share a household, plan around that. Cloud DVR is included, and you can upgrade for more storage if you record a lot. Most national WNBA telecasts don’t have blackout restrictions on Sling; if a game is on ESPN or NBA TV, you’ll see it as long as it’s in your plan.
What else to know: schedule flow, devices, and fine print
Format matters for planning. The league’s structure has first-round series as best-of-three, with the semifinals and Finals as best-of-five. In practice, early rounds lean on ESPN, ESPN2, ION, and NBA TV. The semis and Finals shift heavier to ESPN and ABC. That means your Sling Orange base plus Sports Extra gets you most games, but you’ll want either an antenna or a backup app for the ABC and CBS windows.
About ION: it became a Friday night WNBA destination last season and has remained part of the mix. It’s a free over-the-air network in many cities, so an antenna often solves that instantly. If you’re traveling, many hotel TVs pull ION over the air, but don’t bet your night on that—pack a small antenna if you’re serious about watching.
Devices are straightforward. Sling runs on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, select smart TVs, game consoles via casting, and mobile devices. If you use an antenna, an AirTV device can integrate those local channels into the Sling guide, so you don’t have to toggle inputs. Not required, just convenient.
4K? ESPN’s 4K coverage appears for select events. WNBA 4K broadcasts are still limited; think “bonus when it’s there,” not “every game.” If a game is in 4K and your device supports it, Sling will usually surface the option automatically.
Travel rules: you can watch Sling on mobile when you’re away from home, but channel availability follows national rights, and your device’s location can affect local content. If you’re crossing time zones, the on-demand replays and DVR help a lot. Sling also supports “look-back” on some channels, letting you catch games you missed within a short window, depending on rights.
Internet speed: for smooth HD, aim for at least 10 Mbps per stream. If you’re sharing Wi‑Fi, give yourself a buffer. Hardwiring your streaming box or using a modern router reduces stutters during big runs in the fourth quarter.
Pricing notes: Sling Orange is listed at $46/month. Sports Extra is typically around $11/month for Orange. Promotions and regional channel lineups change, so treat those numbers as a snapshot. You can cancel anytime—no annual contract. Prime Video, ESPN+, and Paramount+ with Showtime are separate bills.
Now, the basketball. The Lynx know the moment. They’re built for it. Collier will get her numbers, and Minnesota’s role players don’t blink. Golden State’s angle is pace, pressure, and getting Burton downhill early to test Minnesota’s help. On paper, it’s one-way traffic—just like those three regular-season losses. But paper didn’t account for a brand-new franchise playing with nothing to lose on a national stage that’s bigger than it’s ever been. If you’re building your setup today, lock in Sling Orange with Sports Extra, add your antenna, and you’ll be ready when the whistle blows on the WNBA playoffs 2025.