The first-place Minnesota Lynx and and third-place Las Vegas Aces meet for the third and final time on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET, CBS).
Thus far, the only two teams that have clinched a spot in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs have split their season series.
In the first matchup in mid-June, A’ja Wilson’s double-double of 24 points and 10 boards, plus Chelsea Gray’s 23 points and seven assists, was enough for the Aces to hold off the Lynx, led by Olivia Miles’ 29 points, by three points, 100-97.
Just one week
ago, the Lynx closed out the Aces in Minneapolis, 98-87, with Napheesa Collier’s 22 points supporting Miles’ 26 points and seven assists. Jackie Young did the heavy lifting for the Aces, leading with 23 points as Wilson was uncharacteristically off, scoring a season-low 16 points.
Could the final face off between the two squads serve as a WNBA Finals preview?
I think so.
As I expressed earlier in the week, I’m skeptical that the New York Liberty will suddenly click into place and no longer be less than the sum of their parts in the playoffs. Likewise, while Zack Ward touted the Indiana Fever’s title ambitions, I expressed my doubts about Indy due their defensive deficiencies and crunch time processes.
Eric Nemchock just analyzed the Golden State Valkyries’ championship credibility, expressing confidence in their postseason viability. I am a bit wary of the Valkyries’ ultimate upside. Although Gabby Williams has blossomed into All-Star-level offensive player in her first season in the Bay, I believe teams need a certified offensive superstar (or two) to prevail in the later stages of the postseason.
The other team that might be lumped into this group of possibility legit contenders is the Atlanta Dream. As a Georgia native accustomed to seeing teams from the state disappoint in devastating ways, I will NEVER predict the Dream to win it all, although I will be thrilled if I am ever proven wrong. (Do it, Angel!)
So, that just leaves the Lynx and Aces.
These teams have the ingredients required for excellence:
- The team that’s been the best in the league throughout the season and the team that has most proven themselves in playoffs.
- The team with the player who has been on the cusp of being the best in the league and the team with the player who is the best in the league, and, almost undoubtedly, of all time.
- The team with the head coach who has won four titles, in addition to the most games in league history, and the team with the head coach who has won three titles, and currently has the best winning percentage in league history.
- The team with a head-turning rookie who could one day be the best point guard in the league and the team with the player whose cluch bona fides secure her status as the best point guard in the league.
- The team with a revitalized veteran who has won three titles with three organizations and the team with the veteran who has never lost a WNBA Finals game.
- The team with one of the deadliest 3-pointer shooters in the league, proven by her single-game record 10 triples, and the team with the slow-step queen who is one of the most complete players in the league.
I expect Lynx-Aces III to be a closely-contested Saturday night showdown, with Minnesota edging Vegas to take the season series. However, even though the Lynx are just about guaranteed to have homecourt advantage in the playoffs, I would favor the Aces in a prospective WNBA Finals.
Minnesota has better depth and balance, but Vegas has A’ja, Chelsea and Jackie, and in the crucible of the championship series, I’m not going to doubt that stamped trio.
There are approximately two months until the WNBA Finals tip off so tons of things can change, especially with the FIBA World Cup causing an over two-week interruption. That said, it’s not too early for you to also make a preliminary WNBA Finals pick.
Do you expect the Lynx and Aces to meet on the Finals stage? Or, do you see an upstart squad like the Valkyries or Fever instead advancing all the way? Share your subject-to-change Finals thoughts in the comments.
