The 2026 WNBA playoffs are underway, and several of the eight teams stood out in the opening games.
While it’s too early to tell if any team will dethrone the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces, there have been some strong performances, with all four games ending in blowout wins.
The best-of-three first round could see teams advance as early as Tuesday, Sept. 29, with two Game 2s scheduled. The other two Game 2s are scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Here are the teams that will win each playoff series and why:
No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty
The predicted winner: Minnesota Lynx.
Although the Lynx earned the No. 1 seed, they drew the toughest matchup among the lower seeds. And it hit them hard in Game 1 when New York pulled off a 91-75 win in Minneapolis on Sept. 27.
Minnesota has
been one of the most dominant teams in the regular season over the last few years, but hasn’t found the answers to winning its first title since 2017.
Drawing a 2024 Finals rematch in the first round seems like it could hand the Lynx a first-round exit, but the difference maker between the teams is coaching.
The Lynx have the 2026 Coach of the Year in Cheryl Reeve, and Reeve always gets the most out of her players. The Liberty are deep, talented and led by a proven winner in Breanna Stewart, who had 34 points in Game 1.
But can first-year coach Chris DeMarco make the right adjustments against Minnesota's strong counterpunch?
The teams will play Game 2 in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 5:30 p.m. MST on USA/CNBC.
No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
The predicted winner: Las Vegas Aces.
The Fever have been fortunate to have both Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell healthy, the WNBA’s highest-scoring duo.
However, a trip to the semifinals for the second consecutive season doesn’t seem likely after the Fever drew the Aces in the first round.
A'ja Wilson and the Aces reminded everyone why they won in 2025, posting a 102-85 win in Game 1. The reigning MVP blew through the Fever’s defense with 38 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
The Fever had the WNBA’s top offense in the regular season, but the Aces’ defense locked up Mitchell, limiting her to 12 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
Indiana could give the Aces a tough time when Game 2 moves to its home court, but the Aces look primed to repeat as champions.
The teams will play Game 2 in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 3:30 p.m. MST on Prime Video.
No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics
The predicted winner: Atlanta Dream
As the league's youngest team (23 years, nine months), the Mystics brought a lot of energy throughout the regular season.
The Mystics have the right foundational pieces but lack Atlanta's experience.
And that was apparent in Game 1, when the Dream rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half, aided by an 11-point third quarter from 17-year veteran DeWanna Bonner.
Washington has size in Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin, and perimeter shooting in Sonia Citron and Georgia Amoore.
But Defensive Player of the Year candidate Angel Reese and guard Rhyne Howard already made it hard on the Mystics, as Atlanta scored 27 points off 22 turnovers in Game 1.
The teams will play Game 2 in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. MST on ESPN.
No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings
The predicted winner: Golden State Valkyries.
Dallas completed the best turnaround in the WNBA, winning 17 more games in 2026 than in 2025.
But the team’s product isn’t finished yet.
Paige Bueckers carried the Wings’ offense in her postseason debut, scoring 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting. The rest of the team shot 38% (19-of-50) in Golden State’s 104-80 win.
The Wings struggled to close games throughout the season and didn’t match up well against the WNBA’s best defense.
Golden State doesn’t have the best offense out of the eight teams, but its 3-point shooting showed up in Game 1, going 18-of-36 (50%) from beyond the arc. Four of the starting five had at least two 3s.
Led by Janelle Salaun and Tiffany Hayes, the Valkyries had the WNBA’s all-time highest-scoring bench in a season, with 36.0 points per game.
The teams will play Game 2 in Dallas on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6 p.m. MST on ESPN.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who will win each 2026 WNBA playoff series and why
