The No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries will face the No. 7 seed Dallas Wings in the first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs beginning on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Golden State is back in the playoffs after making it in their inaugural season in 2025. The Wings return the postseason for the first time since 2023 under first-year head coach Jose Fernandez.
Gabby Williams is the Valkyries leading scorer, averaging 14.4 points a game. Golden State also has the highest scoring bench in the WNBA.
All-Star guard Paige Bueckers and WNBA Most Improved Player candidate Jessica Shepard lead the Wings.
Here's USA TODAY Studio IX's breakdown of the Valkyries-Wings series:
No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings
Golden State Valkyries (32-12)
Odds to win the WNBA title: +600
Reason for hope: By essentially any statistical metric, the Valkyries have the best defense in the WNBA, leading the league in defensive rating, points allowed and 3-point defense. If you believe in the mantra that defense wins championships, Golden State is a title contender. Additionally, they lead the WNBA in total 3-pointers made this season.
Reason for concern: While Golden State’s defense is incredible, there’s a lot to be desired on the other end of the floor. The Valkyries have the second-worst field goal percentage in the league and the third-worst points per scoring attempt mark. They’re also one of two teams — joining the Connecticut Sun — without a player averaging more than 14.5 points per game this season. The lack of an elite, go-to-scorer is worrisome.
Stat to know: Indeed, while the Valkyries don’t set the scoreboard on fire, they do take care of the basketball. Golden State averages the least amount of turnovers per game with 11.5 and also has the best turnover rate in the WNBA this season at 13.1%.
First-round outlook: Golden State will have homecourt advantage throughout the first two rounds in a building that leads the WNBA in attendance this season with an average crowd size north of 18,000. They have the best home record in the league at 17-5 and are 3-0 against the Wings this season with an average margin of victory of 12.3 points.
Dallas Wings (27-17)
Odds to win the WNBA title: +8000
Reason for hope: The Wings are playing with house money for the playoffs in coach Jose Fernandez’s first season. Two players with legitimate cases to get All-WNBA nods this season — Paige Bueckers and Jessica Shepard — lead a Wings team riding some solid momentum, having won seven of their last eight games. Ball movement is the key to the Wings’ success, as they lead the league in assists and assist-turnover ratio.
Reason for concern: The Wings are a bit banged up. No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd is done for the year and last season's Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith hasn’t played in nearly a month. Dallas has signed two guards from the Upshot League in recent weeks — Christyn Williams and Deja Kelly — and has had to lean on former role players like Maddy Siegrist and Awak Kuier. Another worrisome factor is their inability to get to the free-throw line, as they’ve attempted the third-least amount of free throws this season.
Stat to know: Jessica Shepard does it all. She leads the WNBA in triple-doubles this season with six, and she’s the only player in the history of the WNBA to average at least 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a single season.
First-round outlook: Dallas struggled in its matchups with Golden State this season, but the Wings haven’t faced the Valkyries in over a month — before they went on their surge after the FIBA break. If the Wings can keep this momentum rolling, upsetting the Valkyries isn’t impossible. Besides, is it really wise to bet against Bueckers in the postseason?
How to watch
Game 1: 9 p.m. ET Sunday, USA/CNBC
Game 2: 9 p.m. ET, Wednesday, ESPN
Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday, TBD
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paige Bueckers has the Wings back in the playoffs. Can they upset the Valkyries?
