WNBA playoffs 2026 updates: See full details about bracket, schedule, scores

The 2026 WNBA playoffs are underway, with all four first-round series in action after a dramatic weekend.

The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx are already on the ropes. The eighth-seeded New York Liberty stunned Minnesota 91-75 in Game 1, handing the defending No.1 seed a shocking home loss.

Napheesa Collier and the Lynx now face a must-win Game 2 on the road Tuesday, September 29, at 8:30 p.m.

The bracket

Eight teams have locked in their spots. The first round is a best-of-three, 1-1-1 format, where the better seed hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. The best-of-five semifinals started October 4, followed by the best-of-seven WNBA Finals starting October 17.

First-Round Scores and Schedule

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) New York Liberty — Liberty lead 1-0

• Game 1: Liberty 91, Lynx 75
• Game 2: Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. ET at New York (USA, CNBC)
• Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday at Minnesota (TBD)

(3) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Indiana Fever — Aces lead 1-0

• Game 1: Aces 102, Fever 85
• Game 2: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. ET at Indiana (Prime Video)
• Game 3 (if necessary): Thursday at Las Vegas (USA, CNBC)

(4) Atlanta Dream vs. (5) Washington Mystics — Dream lead 1-0

• Game 1: Dream 92, Mystics 77
• Game 2: Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET at Washington (ESPN)
• Game 3 (if necessary): Friday at Atlanta (TBD)

(2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (7) Dallas Wings — Valkyries lead 1-0

• Game 1: Valkyries 104, Wings 80
• Game 2: Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET at Dallas (ESPN)
• Game 3 (if necessary): Friday at Golden State (TBD)

Title Odds

As per the projections of The Athletic, the Valkyries have the best odds to win the title at 41%, followed by the Dream at 22%, the Aces at 14%, and the Liberty at 9%. The Lynx have fallen to 6%.

Where to watch

Games air across ABC, NBC, ESPN, ESPN 2, USA Network, CNBC, and NBCSN, with streaming available on fubo, DIRECTV, Prime Video, the ESPN app, and Peacock.