WNBA Playoffs Open with Four First-Round Matchups
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.
The WNBA playoffs start this weekend with four first-round series. The Minnesota Lynx (33-11) host the New York Liberty (26-18) after the Liberty won the regular-season series 2-1. A key issue will be rookie guard Olivia Miles, whose shooting efficiency dropped in the most recent meeting, prompting questions about her ability to handle increased defensive pressure.
Atlanta (30-14) faces Washington (28-16) after the Mystics took a 2-1 edge in the season series. Both teams rely on strong half-court offenses, and the matchup will test which side can generate scoring opportunities against the other's defensive schemes.
Golden State (32-12) meets Dallas (27-17) after sweeping the regular-season meetings. The Valkyries lead the league in defensive rating, while the Wings posted the league’s highest offensive rating. The series will likely hinge on whether Dallas can break Golden State’s disciplined defense.
Las Vegas (31-13) plays Indiana (28-16) after Indiana won the season series 2-1. Both teams feature top-ranked offenses, but the outcome may depend on which side can impose its defensive strategy, especially given the health status of Indiana’s center Aliyah Boston.
Across all matchups, rebounding, ball-handling and the ability of star players to perform under playoff pressure are expected to be decisive factors.