Analysts predict Lynx to beat Liberty in 2026 WNBA first round

Analysts predict Lynx to beat Liberty in 2026 WNBA first round

Sports

Analysts cited by ESPN projected on September 26 that the Minnesota Lynx would defeat the New York Liberty in the opening round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs. The league announced the playoff bracket on September 24 after the Golden State Valkyries clinched the No.  2 seed, according to CBS Sports. Yahoo Sports reported that the postseason was set to begin on September 27 and run through October 31, and listed the four first-round matchups: Lynx vs.

Liberty, Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics, Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings, and Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever.

Actors

Western Basketball Association Golden State Valkyries Los Angeles Sparks Nneka Ogwumike

Locations

Los Angeles, California, United States San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Minnesota, United States New York, United States Dallas, Texas, United States Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Atlanta, Georgia, United States Washington, D.C., United States

Articles

September 26, 2026
1 total
Experts project outcomes for 2026 WNBA first-round matchups
Experts project outcomes for 2026 WNBA first-round matchups

ESPN • 26 Sep 11:00

Analysts predict the Minnesota Lynx will defeat the New York Liberty in the opening round, while other first-round series and the eventual champion remain speculative.

Credibility 71% Manip. 9% Center
September 25, 2026
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WNBA Playoffs Open with Four First-Round Matchups
WNBA Playoffs Open with Four First-Round Matchups

Yahoo Sports • 25 Sep 22:54

The 2026 WNBA playoffs begin this weekend with four first-round series, featuring the Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty, Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics, Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings, and Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
WNBA sets 2026 playoff bracket as Valkyries clinch No. 2 seed
WNBA sets 2026 playoff bracket as Valkyries clinch No. 2 seed

CBS Sports • 25 Sep 14:25

The 2026 WNBA postseason begins Sunday with four best-of-three first-round series, featuring the top eight teams after the Golden State Valkyries secured the No. 2 seed.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
WNBA playoffs begin Sept. 27 with expanded seven-game Finals schedule
WNBA playoffs begin Sept. 27 with expanded seven-game Finals schedule

Yahoo Sports • 25 Sep 14:14

The 2026 WNBA postseason starts on Sept. 27 and could run through Oct. 31, featuring a best-of-three first round, five-game semifinals and a seven-game Finals.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
WNBA playoffs feature unusually tight seed gap and potential first-round upsets
WNBA playoffs feature unusually tight seed gap and potential first-round upsets

The Ringer • 25 Sep 13:54

The 2026 WNBA regular season ended with a narrow seven-game gap between the top and eighth seeds, setting up a first round where several lower-seed teams could challenge higher-seed opponents.

Credibility 55% Manip. 30% Center

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