2026 WNBA Playoffs First Round Preview and Prediction
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs are officially here. The first round tips off on Sunday, September 27th. Some teams have remained at the top all season, while others fought for a playoff spot. There is a lot to look forward to in four close matchups. Let’s take a look at the first round.
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2026 WNBA Playoffs First Round Preview and Prediction
Minnesota Lynx (1) vs New York Liberty (8)
| Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Daniel Benjamin, EditorThe matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty is a rematch of the 2024 Finals. In 2024, the Liberty won the best-of-five series in thrilling overtime. The current Lynx team has a little different since those finals.
Forwards Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton, and guard Natisha Hiedeman are all on different teams now. The core of Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams has remained the same. A player who will be a difference-maker in this matchup will be none other than Rookie of the Year candidate Olivia Miles. As a rookie, Miles is playing alongside veteran leadership and continues to do so even with Collier’s return. Miles is averaging 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game this season.
The New York Liberty have had their struggles with injuries all season long. With these injuries, there have been many different lineup combinations. These lineups have prevented the team from unlocking its true chemistry. However, the playoffs are essentially the start of a new season.
The Liberty have a lot of playoff experience on their roster. Breanna Stewart is a three-time WNBA champion and two-time Finals MVP. Jonquel Jones was the 2024 Finals MVP. The X-factor in the Liberty’s championship win was forward Leonie Fiebich. Fiebich hit clutch baskets in overtime, helping secure the win. While the Lynx are favorites in this matchup, do not count the Liberty out. They have a strong bench, including Marine Johannès and Han Xu.
If the Liberty catch the Lynx on a bad night, the series could have a different outcome. The depth and veteranship of the Liberty could carry them into the next round.
Prediction: Liberty in 3
Las Vegas Aces (3) vs Indiana Fever (6)
Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-tying basket as time expires in the second half against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images via Reuters ConnectThe Las Vegas Aces are the defending WNBA Champions and have won three of the last four Chips. If any team knows how to build a dynasty, it’s the Aces
. A’ja Wilson remains the team’s leader and has been posting strong stats on offense this season. Wilson led the WNBA in the regular season with 26.2 points per game. Alongside the star are Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray.
Young averaged 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game during the regular season. Gray averaged 12.0 points and 6.7 assists per game. This trio has won three championships together. With their consistent play each night, they will make it hard for the Indiana Fever.
This season, Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell has been shooting the lights out. Mitchell went 27 consecutive games scoring 20+ points. She also broke the record for most three-pointers made in a season with 135.
Caitlin Clark has also been unstoppable this season. After missing most of last season, including the playoffs due to injury, Clark is back and better than ever. The guard ranked third in points per game during the regular season with 22.8. Clark’s elite playmaking has led the Fever to considerable success.
The one question up in the air is the health of center Aliyah Boston. Boston sustained a knee injury in the Fever’s regular-season finale against the Minnesota Lynx. Without Boston, the Fever may end up with a first-round exit.
This matchup will be very interesting as the league’s top two scorers are going head-to-head. The difference will be which team’s defense shows up the most. With the playoff experience, the Las Vegas Aces are likely to find a way to win.
Prediction: Aces in 3
Atlanta Dream (4) vs Washington Mystics (5)
Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) drives past Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin (0) as guard Georgia Amoore (8) defends during the first half at CareFirst Arena. Photo Credit: Brad Mills, Imagn Images via Reuters ConnectThe Atlanta Dream set themselves up for success by signing Angel Reese during the offseason. This season, Reese broke multiple records, including 500+ rebounds, 26 rebounds in a single game, and 32 double-doubles.
However, the Dream are led by guards Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. Gray averaged 19.0 points per game, while Howard averaged 17.7 points per game during the regular season. Both of these players know how to score. With Reese’s presence and a solid offense each night, the Dream will be a hard team to beat. Near the end of the regular season, the Dream signed veteran DeWanna Bonner. Having Bonner come off the bench adds to the Dream’s depth.
The Washington Mystics had a rough start to their season. At one point, they were not in the playoff picture. Once the roster was healthy, the Mystics went on a roll, clinching the fifth seed. Shakira Austin has been consistent all season, averaging 17.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in the regular season. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen have been key players for this team. Citron averaged 16.8 points, while Iriafen averaged 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game during the regular season. Despite being the youngest team in the league, the Mystics have depth with Georgia Amoore and Lauren Betts.
Even with a strong second half of the season, the Mystics are lacking playoff experience. The Dream have a solid team that is going to look to make a deep playoff run.
Prediction: Dream in 2
Golden State Valkyries (2) vs Dallas Wings (7)
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) is face-guarded by Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) in the third quarter at Chase Center. Photo Credit: David Gonzales, Imagn Images via Reuters ConnectThe Golden State Valkyries are in the playoffs for the second year in a row. Coming into last season as an expansion team, Coach Natalie Nakase had great success. During the offseason, the Valkyries signed Gabby Williams.
Right off the bat, Williams fit in with the team. She averaged 14.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game during the regular season. Alongside Williams is Veronica Burton. Burton was the 2025 Most Improved Player. This season, she averaged 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
The Valkyries have an X-factor in Janelle Salaün. Salaün broke the WNBA record for most points scored by a bench player, with 509 points. While Golden State sometimes struggles on offense, its defense is solid and among the best in the league.
The Dallas Wings are going into the playoffs with a few injuries. Rookie Azzi Fudd was ruled out for the season with a season-ending knee injury. Alanna Smith is also dealing with a leg injury that has kept her out for the rest of the regular season. With these injuries, the team will need to adjust.
Paige Bueckers is getting her chance to shine in the playoffs. During the regular season, Bueckers averaged 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. A player who stood out all season was Jessica Shepard. Shepard has playoff experience from her time with the Minnesota Lynx. Her veteran presence can be useful for the Wings. Shepard averaged 14.5 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game this season.
The Valkyries have such a balanced team, and with home advantage, it will be difficult to stop them. If Dallas did not have key injuries, they would have a chance to pull off the upset.
Prediction: Valkyries in 2
More WNBA News:
Why Vancouver Is Primed For A WNBA Team
What The DeWanna Bonner Signing Means For The Atlanta Dream
Top 5 WNBA MVP Candidates For The 2026 Season
Photo Credit: Kevin Sousa, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect