2026 WNBA playoff bracket and full schedule

The 2026 WNBA playoff bracket was set after the regular season ended on Thursday. The final eight teams had been known since August 25, when the Dallas Wings secured the last playoff spot, but the final seeding was decided only in the last game of the evening, when the Golden State Valkyries managed to overturn a 10-point deficit with two and a half minutes remaining and won 76-75 against the Los Angeles Sparks to secure 2nd place.

As Bleacher Report reports, the playoff matchups are: No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty; No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings; No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever; and No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics. The first round is played in a best-of-3 (1-1-1) format and is expected to take place from September 27 to October 2. The semifinals are best-of-5 (2-2-1), with key games scheduled from October 4 to 14, while the finals will be best-of-7 (2-2-1-1-1), with games anticipated from October 17 to 31. Full times for each game have been published, but some broadcasts and times are marked as to be determined (TBD).

The Minnesota Lynx advance to the playoffs as a team with high expectations; they have finished first three seasons in a row. After the dramatic loss in the 2024 finals to the New York Liberty and the semifinal defeat in 2025, the team hopes to go further this season with Napheesa Collier back. Collier averaged 17.5 points per game on 51.0% shooting, 6.9 rebounds and defensive production (1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks). In the Lynx’s decision-making, rookie Olivia Miles delivered an excellent season with 19.8 points and 6.0 assists per game, while all five of the team’s starters averaged at least 13 points, giving them depth and balance for the playoff challenges.

The Las Vegas Aces come as a dominant force, with three titles in the last four seasons (2022, 2023, 2025) and A’ja Wilson as their leader. The Aces reached the playoffs after a seven-game win streak that lifted them to third place; Jackie Young (18.9 PPG, 48.8% shooting, 6.8 APG) and Chelsea Gray (12.0 PPG, 6.7 APG) also contribute. The Golden State Valkyries, led by coach Natalie Nakase, continue a successful journey after being founded as a franchise in 2025; the team stands out for strong defense and bench depth, but challenges during the season include the lack of many high scorers – only Gabby Williams averages above 13 points (14.4). The Indiana Fever return with Caitlin Clark after missing 31 games of last season and the entire playoffs; Clark finished the season third in scoring and second in assists, while Kelsey Mitchell averages 24.7 PPG and Aliyah Boston 16.1 points and 8.0 rebounds, with her recent exit as a precautionary measure not expected to have a major impact.

A balanced and competitive playoff is expected, with several possible strong clashes that could decide the title in several long series. According to Bleacher Report, the first steps of the group phase and the teams’ current form will be decisive for the road to the finals.

Source: Bleacher Report