The WNBA playoff bracket is locked in, and man, what a finish to the regular season! It all came down to the wire on Thursday evening, with the Golden State Valkyries staging a wild 10-point comeback in the final two-and-a-half minutes to edge out the Los Angeles Sparks 76-75. That nail-biter snagged the Valkyries the No. 2 spot, setting the stage for some incredible postseason matchups. We’ve known the eight playoff teams since way back on August 25, when the Dallas Wings grabbed the final ticket, but those final seedings were a fight right down to the buzzer.
WNBA Playoffs: The First Round Schedule Is Set
So, what’s the playoff picture look like? According to ESPN, here are your matchups:
* No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 Dallas Wings
* No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 New York Liberty
* No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever
* No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics
The First Round is a best-of-3 series in a 1-1-1 format. It all kicks off on Sunday, September 27, with Game 1s airing on ABC, Prime, and USA. Game 2s hit on Tuesday, September 29, and Wednesday, September 30, before potential Game 3 deciders on Thursday, October 1, and Friday, October 2. Then, we jump straight into the Semifinals, a best-of-5 series starting Sunday, October 4. The WNBA Finals, a best-of-7 battle, begins Saturday, October 17. Get ready, because October is gonna be packed with high-stakes hoops!
Can the Lynx Finally Break Through?
Here’s the real talk: The Minnesota Lynx have been the top seed for three straight regular seasons, but they still haven’t hoisted that championship trophy. They came so close in 2024, falling to the New York Liberty in overtime during Game 5 of the Finals. Then, in 2025, the Phoenix Mercury knocked them out in the semifinals, with superstar and MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier missing the series-deciding Game 4 due to a left ankle injury in Game 3’s final minute.
But there’s huge hope for 2026! Collier is back healthy and playing lights out, averaging 17.5 points on 51.0 percent shooting and 6.9 rebounds. Her defense is still elite, pulling down 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. And then there’s Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles, who is flat-out phenomenal at point. She averaged a team-high 19.8 PPG and 6.0 APG for the year, and she’s going to be a serious problem for defenses. The crazy thing? All five Lynx starters, including Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, and Natasha Howard, averaged at least 13 PPG. That depth is a nightmare for opponents and could absolutely vault Minnesota to a title. First up, Miles gets a phenomenal one-on-one matchup with Dallas Wings superstar Paige Bueckers.
Aces Look to Cement Their Dynasty
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces are rolling into the playoffs looking to add another ring to their collection. They’ve already snagged three championships in the last four years (2022, 2023, 2025), and with likely five-time MVP and the WNBA’s leading scorer A’ja Wilson leading the charge, they’re the team to beat. Wilson and the Aces are coming in hot and ready to continue their dynasty.
This postseason is shaping up to be epic. From the Lynx’s quest for redemption to the Aces’ dynastic run, every game is gonna be must-watch. Who’s taking home the hardware? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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