The WNBA’s 30th season came down to the wire with four Thursday night games that solidified playoff seeding heading into the postseason. This season was nothing less than monumental for the future of the sport; a new CBA was signed that gave players a substantial raise, two new franchises entered the scene (Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo), and records were smashed night after night (Kelsey Mitchell’s season scoring record, Angel Reese’s single-game rebounding record, etc.).
After a highly competitive
season, the playoffs are slated to be the most entertaining yet. Here is your league-wide schedule rundown ahead of Sunday’s playoff start.
Dallas Wings vs. Golden State Valkyries
Rundown
The No. 7 Dallas Wings return to the postseason for the first time since 2023 and will face the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries. Led by Paige Bueckers in her second season, the Dallas Wings have completely transformed their franchise into a winning culture in just one season, thanks to coaching and roster additions last offseason. Dallas has been able to keep its head above water despite injuries to Azzi Fudd and Alanna Smith, but faces a steep hill to climb against Golden State. The Valkyries are the deepest and toughest squad in the league, finishing the regular season as the best defensive team, led by Gabby Williams, who sealedThursday night’s win over the Sparks. The Wings will have to reign hot from behind the arc to stay competitive in this matchup and will have to adjust to the Valkyries’ defensive pressure quickly.
Schedule
- Game 1: Wings at Valkyries, Sunday at 8 p.m. CT on USA Network and CNBC.
- Game 2: Valkyries at Wings, Wednesday at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN.
- Game 3 (if necessary): Wings at Valkyries, Friday, time and network TBD.
Prediction
Wings’ injuries are not enough to compete with the gritty Valkyries, Golden State, 2-1.
Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty
Rundown
The No. 1 Minnesota Lynx have been the favorites to win the championship ever since they selected Rookie of the Year frontrunner Olivia Miles with the second overall pick in the 2026 draft. They are slated to host the No. 8 New York Liberty, who are hoping to avoid another first-round exit in the playoffs. The Liberty are 2-1 over the Lynx this season, including a Commissioner’s Cup win, led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. The Liberty’s injury woes prevented them from finding any sort of consistency beyond Stewart. Napheesa Collier’s return to play gives the Lynx another reliable two-way option in a series where the Liberty will certainly look to pressure Miles. The Liberty will have to lean heavily into Stewart and Ionescu to pull off an upset in the first round.
Schedule
- Game 1: Liberty at Lynx, Sunday at 1 p.m. CT on ABC.
- Game 2: Lynx at Liberty, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. CT on USA Network and CNBC.
- Game 3 (if necessary): Liberty at Lynx, Thursday, time and network TBD.
Prediction
Ionescu and Stewart will make the games a fun watch, but the Lynx have been juggernauts all season. Despite the Liberty’s series win this season, the Lynx will close this out in two games.
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever
Rundown
The No. 3 Las Vegas Aces are set to face the No. 6 Indiana Fever, whom they sent home in the semifinals in 2025 before winning the championship. The Aces have won their last seven games, led by the three-headed monster of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray. The Indiana Fever are the hottest offensive team in the league this year, with Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell’s unearthly scoring abilities, and will be a problem for the Aces’ streaky defense. Aliyah Boston left Thursday’s game early for the Fever with injuries, but Fever Head Coach Stephanie White advised that Boston’s injury was a flare-up, and her absence from the remainder of the game was precautionary. The offensive firepower in this matchup will make this series a must-watch as the defending champions look to defend their crown.
Schedule
- Game 1: Fever at Aces, Sunday at 3 p.m. CT on ABC.
- Game 2: Aces at Fever, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. CT on Prime Video.
- Game 3 (if necessary): Fever at Aces, Thursday, time and network TBD.
Prediction
This one will be a knockout series that will go to game three. The championship pedigree edge goes to the Aces here, who will close out the Fever 2-1.
Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics
Rundown
The No. 4 Atlanta Dream have won nine of their last 10 games heading into the postseason ahead of their matchup with the No. 5 Washington Mystics. The Mystics are the youngest team in the league, making their success this season behind Sonia Citron, Shakira Austin, and company all the more impressive. Angel Reese has been monumental in the Dream’s success in her first season with the team, contending for DPOY and smashing rebounding records. Atlanta has the top-end talent advantage with an elite guard trio of Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Jordin Canada, but struggles with bench production. The Dream will have to rely heavily on their stars against the budding Mystics to move on to the next round.
Schedule
- Game 1: Mystics at Dream, Sunday at 6 p.m. CT on Prime Video.
- Game 2: Dream at Mystics, Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
- Game 3 (if necessary): Mystics at Dream, Friday, time and network TBD.
Prediction
The budding Mystics have been one of the league’s most exciting stories, but the advantage goes to the more experienced Dream, who have home-court advantage. Dream in three.
