WNBA 2026 playoff picture after Sunday’s results

The 2026 WNBA playoffs tipped off on Sunday with a packed slate of games, as all eight qualifying teams were in action. First-round series are played in a best-of-three format, which makes losing Game 1 enormously costly — in the 2025 season, three of the four first-round series went all the way to a decisive Game 3.

According to Bleacher Report, the New York Liberty stunned the Minnesota Lynx 91-75. Breanna Stewart was decisive for the Liberty, posting 34 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. After a lackluster regular season for Stewart and an eighth-place finish in the standings, her performance in this game changed the team’s dynamic considerably. Minnesota led 44-40 at halftime, but the Liberty were sharper in the third quarter and the Lynx never regained their rhythm; Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride combined for 26 points, while Olivia Miles went 3-of-12 from the field and committed four turnovers.

Beyond the New York–Minnesota duel, Sunday’s schedule also featured Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces at 4:00 p.m. ET, Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream at 7:00 p.m. ET and Dallas Wings vs. Golden State Valkyries at 9:00 p.m. ET. With the short series format, every game carries huge weight, and coaches are expected to make quick tactical adjustments to adapt to their opponents.

The roundup of results and analysis of the standings picture after Sunday’s games was compiled by Bleacher Report.