WNBA playoffs semifinals preview breaks down Dream vs Liberty, Aces vs Valkyries

The final four teams are set to compete for the 2026 WNBA championship.

The Atlanta Dream, led by WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, are back in the semifinals for the first time since 2018.

They will face the No. 8-seeded New York Liberty, who took down the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in a first-round sweep.

The other semifinal will feature the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, who are looking for their fourth title in five years. A'ja Wilson & Co. needed three games to eliminate the Indiana Fever in the first round. They will face the No. 2-seeded Golden State Valkyries, who reach the semifinals in their second season after coming into the league as an expansion franchise in 2025.

Here's everything you need to know about the best-of-five semifinal series, which begin Sunday, Oct. 4.

Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty

No. 5 seed Atlanta Dream (30-14)

Odds to win the WNBA title: +250

What we learned in the Dream's opening-round sweep of the Mystics: Atlanta is learning to adjust and take over in real time, something it previously struggled with. In games versus the Mystics, it was DeWanna Bonner and Rhyne Howard plus the bench in Game 1. In Game 2, it was Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada along with the bench.

Stat to know: DeWanna Bonner has the most career playoff games (100) and career rebounds (674) in WNBA postseason history.

Semifinal outlook: Atlanta is in the semifinals for the first time since 2018. They face an experienced New York Liberty team that beat the Dream in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs. Can Atlanta avenge that postseason loss and make it to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013?

No. 8 seed New York Liberty (26-18)

Odds to win the WNBA title: +105

What we learned in the Liberty's opening-round sweep of the Lynx: The New York Liberty are not to be underestimated. On Sept. 29, they became the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in league history. Breanna Stewart has a playoff switch and she flipped it.

Stat to know: Breanna Stewart has the most career field goal attempts per game (17.8) in WNBA playoffs history.

Semifinal outlook: After winning the title in 2024, New York was ousted in the first round by the Mercury in 2025. They are back now, looking for more and don't fit the profile of a "traditional" No. 8 seed. Will they punch they ticket to the Finals, becoming the first No. 8 seed in WNBA history to play for a championship?How to watch

Game 1: Liberty at Dream, 2 p.m. ET, Sunday (ABC)
Game 2: Liberty at Dream, 7:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday (ESPN)
Game 3: Dream at Liberty, 7:30 p.m. ET, Friday (ESPN2)
Game 4: Dream at Liberty, TBD, Sunday (ABC)*
Game 5: Liberty at Dream, TBD, Wednesday (ESPN)*

*If necessary

Las Vegas Aces vs Golden State Valkyries

No. 3 seed Las Vegas Aces (31-13)

Odds to win the WNBA title: +200

What we learned in the Aces' opening-round victory over the Fever: A’ja Wilson averaged a league-high 32 points per game in the Aces’ three games against the Indiana Fever — but it’s not news the four-time MVP is the best player in the world. More notable, was the Aces’ ability to battle past a hungry Fever team despite getting six points from their bench.

When Las Vegas won back-to-back championships in 2023, a lack of depth and injury woes fueled doubt. Their first-round series against the Fever offered a reminder that they don’t need a deep bench to make it happen.

After losing Dana Evans and NaLyssa Smith in addition to parting ways with Chennedy Carter this season, the Aces’ rotations have been limited. That became even more true when starting forward Stephanie Talbot was ruled out before Thursday’s Game 3 against the Fever.

With the season on the line, Aces coach Becky Hammon relied on Chelsea Gray (23 points) and Jackie Young (18 points) to support Wilson (36 points, 10 rebounds) in true Big 3 fashion.

“I needed them to go be the Big 3 that I've always known them to be and they deliver in big moments,” Hammon said after eliminating the Fever. “So when we found out about Steph (Talbot), obviously right before the game, I just told them be ready to run 40 (minutes). You're not coming out until you tell me... They're called the Big 3 for a reason and I had to ride them tonight.”

Stat to know: This is the Aces’ eighth semifinals appearance in a row. They team hasn’t missed this stage of the playoffs since Wilson’s rookie year in 2018. Wilson, Young and Gray have a combined 184 games of WNBA playoff experience. That familiarity with high-stakes play is likely to provide an edge.

Semifinal outlook: The Aces swept the regular-season series against the Valkyries 3-0, but that doesn’t mean the defending champions can count out the semifinals newbies. There’s a familiarity between these two teams that could certainly be dangerous. Natalie Nakase won two championships with the Aces as an assistant under Hammon. The Valkyries’ also feature former Las Vegas Aces in guard Tiffany Hayes and center Kiah Stokes. Hayes only played with the Aces in 2024, winning Sixth Player of the Year that season. Stokes played five seasons with her soon-to-be opponent and served as a defensive staple.

No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries (34-13)

Odds to win the WNBA title: +260

What we learned in the Valkyries opening-round win over the Wings: The Valkyries have had the best defense all season long by almost any metric, but showed their offensive firepower in the opening round against the Dallas Wings. The Valkyries scored a franchise-record 104 points in their Game 1 win, and then Gabby Williams had a career-best 36 points in their Game 2 overtime loss in Dallas.

Stat to know: Golden State has the best home record in the WNBA, going 19-5 this season at the Chase Center, a place the players call Ballhalla. In this best-of-five series against the Aces, the Valkyries’ homecourt advantage could be crucial.

Semifinal outlook: The Valkyries are 0-3 against the Aces this season, losing those trio of games by an average margin of 11.3 points. One of the Valkyries five losses at home was to Las Vegas. However, it’s worth noting that the two teams haven’t met in more than three months, with their last meeting coming on June 21. Natalie Nakase and her staff have had a long time to figure out how to beat the Aces.

How to watch