The 2026 WNBA playoffs are down to the final four teams and the semifinal matchups are set, with the best-of-five series beginning Sunday, Oct. 4.
The semifinals open with the New York Liberty, who stunned the league by sweeping the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, becoming the first No. 8 seed to ever eliminate a No. 1 in WNBA history. The Liberty now turn their attention to the Atlanta Dream, who punched their ticket to the semifinals with a commanding 2-0 series victory over the Washington Mystics.
The second matchup of the day features the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, led by four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, after they narrowly edged out Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in a decisive Game 3, keeping their campaign for a fourth title
alive.
The Aces are set to battle the Golden State Valkyries, who made franchise history by notching their first playoff series win in only their second season. The Valkyries erased a 16-point deficit in Game 3 to stun the Dallas Wings, 77-73, to advance to the semifinals.
Here’s how the WNBA playoff bracket looks as we head into the semifinals, with each team battling for a spot in the championship.
2026 WNBA Playoffs semifinals
Golden State Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN/Peacock
- Game 3: Friday, Oct. 9 at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN/Peacock
- Game 4*: TBD on NBC/Peacock
- Game 5*: TBD on NBCSN/Peacock
Atlanta Dream vs. New York Liberty
- Game 1: Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. ET on ABC
- Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Game 3: Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
- Game 4*: TBD on ABC
- Game 5*: TBD on ESPN
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 WNBA Playoffs: Semifinals bracket and how to watch every game
