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The 2026 WNBA Playoffs bracket of eight teams is set after seeding remained in the air until the final night of the regular season. The field is deep as No. 8 New York finished 26-18, and all eight playoff teams won at least 59% of their games. Minnesota enters as the No. 1 seed, while defending champion and No. 3 Las Vegas begins its pursuit of a fourth title in five years.
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Here is a look at every first-round matchup, the top WNBA Finals contenders, players who could swing a series and predictions for the opening round. Be sure to check out our WNBA trends page as well for game data, odds and player trends
The Full Bracket
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2 p.m. ET, ABC
Minnesota earned the No. 1 seed for the second consecutive season after spending much of the year atop the standings even with star forward Napheesa Collier sidelined for much of the season following offseason surgery on both ankles. New York endured an injury-heavy season but Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones remain from the core that won the 2024 championship. The seed disparity is misleading as New York won the regular-season series against Minnesota, 2-1.
No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings
Sunday, Sept. 27, 9 p.m. ET, USA/CNBC
Golden State grabbed the No. 2 seed on the final night by erasing a late deficit against Los Angeles, closing on a 14-0 run for a 76-75 win. The second-year Valkyries followed last season’s playoff appearance with one of the league’s best records, its top defense and its deepest bench. Dallas improved by 17 wins from last season and returns to the postseason for the first time since 2023 behind Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard. The Wings enter without Azzi Fudd, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Golden State swept the regular-season series.
No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
Sunday, Sept. 27, 4 p.m. ET, ABC
Las Vegas won its regular-season finale but settled into the No. 3 seed after Golden State’s comeback secured the No. 2 spot. The defending champions still bring the proven core of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray into another postseason. Indiana dropped to No. 6 on the final night but enters the playoffs with Caitlin Clark healthy after she missed last postseason and with the league’s highest-scoring offense. The Fever won the regular-season series against Las Vegas.
No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics
Sunday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Atlanta secured home-court advantage behind a roster strengthened by the additions of Angel Reese and DeWanna Bonner around Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada. The Dream are trying to get past the opening round for the first time since 2016.Washington jumped to the No. 5 seed on the final night and returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. Shakira Austin, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron have helped anchor one of the league’s best defenses, and the Mystics won the regular-season series against Atlanta.
WNBA Championshp Odds
WNBA Title Contenders
1. Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota has the No. 1 seed and home-court advantage, with the Lynx ranking among the league’s best teams on both offense and defense. Olivia Miles emerged as the team’s lead guard while Collier recovered, while Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and Natasha Howard give Minnesota plenty of veteran help. The franchise also has postseason pedigree. Minnesota has four championships, most recently in 2017, and reached the Finals as recently as 2024.
2. Las Vegas Aces Aces
Las Vegas has the most accomplished championship core in the field. Wilson, Young and Gray have been together for all three Aces championships since 2022, including last season’s title, and Becky Hammon’s team knows how to navigate long playoff series.After NaLyssa Smith’s season-ending leg injury. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Brianna Turner and Stephanie Talbot will have to absorb more responsibility, while Jewell Loyd gives Las Vegas another experienced scorer off the bench.
3. Golden State Valkyries
The No. 2 seed finished with the WNBA’s best defensive rating and allowed a league-low 78.8 points per game, while its bench averaged 36.0 points, the highest scoring bench in league history for a season.The Valkyries do not have the playoff history of Minnesota or Las Vegas, but they did gain postseason experience in their inaugural 2025 season.playoff possessions slow down.
4. Atlanta Dream
Atlanta has one of the league’s most balanced starting groups. The Dream ranked fourth in both offensive and defensive rating, with Gray and Howard supplying perimeter scoring, Reese controlling the glass and Canada organizing the offense. Bonner adds valuable postseason experience, but Atlanta’s depth is thinner than some of the other contenders. Its bench finished near the bottom of the league in scoring.
X-Factors & Players to Watch
- Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx
Williams can score, defend and take over point-guard duties when needed, making her especially important with Miles coming off a calf injury. Her energy and willingness to take big shots could be especially valuable in a tight first-round series.
- Kiah Stokes, Golden State Valkyries
Golden State’s defense gets plenty of attention because of Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton, but Stokes anchors the interior. She led the Valkyries in rebounding and blocked shots and gives Golden State an important defensive presence in the paint.
- Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Las Vegas Aces
Parker-Tyus has a larger postseason role after Smith’s season-ending injury. Her rebounding and frontcourt minutes could be critical against an Indiana team built around an elite backcourt and Aliyah Boston inside.
First-Round Predictions
Minnesota Lynx over New York Liberty in 3 games
New York’s regular-season success against Minnesota and championship experience make this much tougher than a typical No. 1-vs.-No. 8 matchup. Minnesota’s depth, home-court advantage and two-way balance give the Lynx the edge in a deciding game.
Golden State Valkyries over Dallas Wings in 2 games
Dallas has enough shot-making to make the series competitive, but Golden State swept the regular-season matchup and has the defensive depth to make every possession difficult. The Wings’ injury issues also make this a tough draw.
Las Vegas Aces over Indiana Fever in 3 games
Indiana won the regular-season series and owns the league’s most productive offense, so this has the makings of the closest first-round matchup. Las Vegas gets the pick because of Wilson and the postseason experience of a core that has won three of the past four championships.
Atlanta Dream over Washington Mystics in 3 games
Washington’s defense and regular-season series win should make Atlanta work for it. The Dream have more proven scoring options and home court, which could be decisive if the series returns to Atlanta for Game 3.
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WNBA Playoffs FAQ
How many rounds are in the WNBA playoffs?
There are three rounds. The first round is best-of-three in a 1-1-1 format, the semifinals are best-of-five in a 2-2-1 format, and the WNBA Finals are best-of-seven in a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
When do the WNBA playoffs start?
The 2026 WNBA playoffs begin Sunday, Sept. 27, with New York at Minnesota tipping off the postseason at 2 p.m. ET.
How can I watch the WNBA playoffs?
The postseason will air across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Prime Video, USA, CNBC, NBC, Peacock and NBCSN. Opening-day games are split between ABC, Prime Video and USA/CNBC.
The WNBA Finals begin Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Finals Game 4 will also air on NBC and Peacock, while Games 2-3 and, if necessary, Games 5-7 will air on USA with simulcasts on Peacock.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
