The first-round matchups for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs are set!
Here are the four series that begin Sunday, Sept. 27:
- No. 1-seed Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8-seed New York Liberty
- No. 2-seed Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7-seed Dallas Wings
- No. 3-seed Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6-seed Indiana Fever
- No. 4-seed Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5-seed Washington Mystics
At the time of publication, the WNBA has yet to assign television slots for the Game 1s.
The action will begin on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on ABC, with another Game 1 immediately following on ABC at 4
p.m. ET. There will be a primetime Game 1 on Prime, with the final Game 1 shown on USA Network at 9 p.m. ET.
And here is a quick initial reaction for each series. In the comments, give your first thoughts about the four first-round showdowns.
No. 1-seed Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8-seed New York Liberty
A rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, this has to be one of the more intriguing No. 1-vs. No. 8 series ever.
Not only did the lower-seeded Liberty win the season series 2-1, with the most recent win coming approximately one week ago, but some might even suggest that the Lynx “strategically” attempted to avoid this matchup, whereas the Liberty were aiming for it.
Those dynamics from the recent past and present are accompanied by the internal and external pressures on both teams.
For Minnesota, the time is now, with the urgency amplified by the uncertain future of Napheesa Collier, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. However, their resounding win in their season finale, a from-the-jump demolition of the Fever, was a needed confidence booster in the Lynx’s championship upside.
After last season’s first-round elimination, New York’s leadership chose to fire championship-winning head coach Sandy Brondello and import Chris DeMarco from the NBA in order to implement more innovative strategies. What if all that fizzles with another first-round out? Will big changes, possibly on the player front, be coming to New York?
The outcome of this series, more than any other, could have seismic implications for the WNBA offseason.
No. 2-seed Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7-seed Dallas Wings
A 17-4 closing kick against the Los Angeles Sparks secured the Valkyries this favorable first-round matchup.
Considering Golden State swept Dallas 3-0 during the regular season, they were right to gun for the win in LA, with Gabby Williams putting on her French national team cape in order to push the Valks to victory. That’s the type of 1A offensive star production Golden State will need from Gabby to go on a deep playoff run.
And maybe even to escape the first round?
Although the Wings widely have been marked as the weakest playoff team, the prospect of peak Paige Buckers, combined with some throwback clutch magic from Arike Ogunbowale, should send more than a few shivers through San Francisco.
No. 3-seed Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6-seed Indiana Fever
The Aces will begin their title defense against the team that gave them their toughest series during last season’s championship run. It took five games, plus an overtime, for Vegas to escape in the semifinals against an Indy team led by Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.
The champs enter the series soaring, winners of seven-straight games, whereas the Fever are skidding, having been walloped by a close-to-full-strength Lynx after appearing to fly high following their own big win over Minnesota’s reserves.
The South Carolina-vs.-South Carolina center showdown should again assume the spotlight.
Although Boston has not been at her best of late (and experienced a “flare up” of the leg injury she has managed throughout the season in the Fever’s finale), she has historically succeeded in giving A’ja Wilson more trouble than most. If that happens again, this series could again go the distance. However, if AB can’t contain A’ja, the Aces’ could end this one earlier than expected.
No. 4-seed Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5-seed Washington Mystics
This one’s going to get physical, with Angel Reese engaging in interior battles with Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen.
That Angel and Shakira have been two of the league’s very best players down the stretch of the season adds even more intrigue.
So does the presences of DeWanna Bonner and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, two vets signed to impart their teams with well-earned championship-winning knowledge. While both DB and BLH, undoubtedly, will do that, whoever of the hits the most 3s might determine the outcome of this series.
