The 2026 WNBA playoffs are already serving up some serious drama, with the semifinals kicking off Sunday after an opening round that saw the eighth-seeded Liberty absolutely stun the top-seeded Lynx. Yeah, you heard that right, the number eight seed took out the number one, winning their series 2-0. If that doesn’t scream “anything can happen,” I don’t know what does.
The Road to the Final Four Was Pure Chaos
This first round was exactly what you want from postseason basketball. The Liberty pulling off that upset against the Lynx was just insane, sending a clear message to everyone else in the league: nobody’s safe. While the Liberty kept their run going, the Valkyries also made some noise, clawing back from a massive 16-point deficit to knock out the Wings. Talk about grit, right? Meanwhile, the reigning champion Aces took care of business against Caitlin Clark and the Fever in a three-game battle. The Dream also moved on, handling the Mystics without much fuss. So, we’re down to the final four: Valkyries vs. Aces and Liberty vs. Dream. Get ready, because it’s about to get even more intense.
A Historic Season Sets the Stage for Unforgettable Playoffs
You know, the fact that these playoffs are this thrilling is no accident. The 2026 WNBA season was groundbreaking, period. After a contentious labor battle, the players secured a historic raise, with the salary cap jumping from $1.5 million in 2025 to a whopping $7 million this year. And guess what? They delivered on the court, raising the bar every single week. We saw records shatter left and right: Caitlin Clark dropped a 40-point, 10-assist game, becoming the first player in WNBA history to do it. Angel Reese smashed the single-game rebounding record with 26 boards. And Kelsey Mitchell? She passed A’ja Wilson for the single-season points record. This isn’t just a playoff bracket, it’s the culmination of a truly historic year for the league.
Don’t Miss a Second: Semifinals Schedule is Set
Seriously, you do not want to miss a second of this. The semifinals kick off this Sunday, October 4. The Dream host the Liberty at 2 p.m. ET on ABC and fubo, and then the Valkyries take on the Aces at 4 p.m. ET on NBC and fubo. These best-of-five series are going to be wild. Game 2s are Wednesday, October 7, with the Dream vs. Liberty at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and fubo, and the Valkyries vs. Aces at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Game 3s follow on Friday, October 9. We could see a Game 4 on Sunday, October 11, and a decisive Game 5 on Wednesday, October 14, if these series go the distance. Clear your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to witness some incredible basketball. It’s going to be epic!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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