Eight teams. One championship.
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs are underway. Follow every series from the opening round through the WNBA Finals with updated results, series standings, the playoff bracket and Sports UNIllustrated coverage along the way.
FIRST ROUND · BEST OF 3 · IN PROGRESS
2026 WNBA Playoff Bracket
Follow the road to the 2026 WNBA Championship. The bracket will be updated as each team advances
First Round Series Tracker
Four best-of-three series. Follow every result and see who moves one step closer to the semifinals.
#1 Minnesota Lynx vs. #8 New York Liberty
LIBERTY WIN SERIES 2–0
GAME 1 — FINAL
New York 91, Minnesota 75
GAME 2 — FINAL
New York — [final score]
Minnesota — [final score]
SERIES RESULT
NEW YORK ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS
Minnesota eliminated
SUI PICK: LYNX ❌
#4 Atlanta Dream vs. #5 Washington Mystics
DREAM WIN SERIES 2–0
GAME 1 — FINAL
Atlanta 92, Washington 77
GAME 2 — FINAL
Atlanta 93, Washington 75
SERIES RESULT
ATLANTA ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS
Washington eliminated
SUI PICK: MYSTICS ❌
#3 Las Vegas Aces vs. #6 Indiana Fever
ACES WIN SERIES 2–1
GAME 1 — FINAL
Las Vegas 102, Indiana 85
GAME 2 — FINAL
Indiana 99, Las Vegas 89
GAME 3 — FINAL
Las Vegas 94, Indiana 83
SERIES RESULT
LAS VEGAS ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS
Indiana eliminated
#2 Golden State Valkyries vs. #7 Dallas Wings
SERIES TIED 1–1
GAME 1 — FINAL
Golden State 104, Dallas 80
GAME 2 — FINAL (OT)
Dallas 108, Golden State 100
GAME 3 — FRI. OCT. 2
Dallas at Golden State
9:00 PM ET • ESPN2
WINNER ADVANCES TO THE SEMIFINALS
SUI PICK: VALKYRIES ⏳
Playoff Headlines
The latest stories, performances and developments shaping the 2026 WNBA Playoffs.
More 2026 WNBA Playoffs coverage is coming as the postseason unfolds.
From the SUI Desk
Our picks, players to watch and the postseason storylines we’re following as the bracket unfolds.
SUI Picks — With Receipts | Playoff Standouts | Storylines to Watch
SUI Picks — With Receipts
We made the picks before the first ball went up. We’re not changing them now. Win or lose, the receipts stay.
#1 Minnesota vs. #8 New York
🎯 SUI PICK: Minnesota Lynx
❌ PICK LOST
Series result: New York wins 2–0
SUI RECORD: 0–1
#3 Las Vegas vs. #6 Indiana
🎯 SUI PICK: Indiana Fever
❌ PICK LOST
Series result: Las Vegas wins 2–1
SUI RECORD: 0–2
#4 Atlanta vs. #5 Washington
🎯 SUI PICK: Washington Mystics
❌ PICK LOST
Series result: Atlanta wins 2–0
SUI RECORD: 0–3
#2 Golden State vs. #7 Dallas
🎯 SUI PICK: Golden State Valkyries
⏳ PICK STILL ALIVE
Series status: Tied 1–1
Game 3: Tonight
SUI RECORD: 0–3, one pending
Playoff Standout
BREANNA STEWART
Stewart opened the playoffs with 34 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks against Minnesota, then added 21 points in Game 2 as New York completed the 2–0 upset of the No. 1 seed. That’s 55 points across the sweep.
A’JA WILSON
Her obvious headline is that monster 38-point, 16-rebound Game 1 that put Vegas ahead of Indiana. Since the Aces just closed the series last night, I’d pull her complete three-game numbers before we write her final card rather than stop at Game 1.
RHYNE HOWARD
Howard came out swinging with 26 points and 5 steals in Game 1. Atlanta came back from 11 down, forced 22 Washington turnovers and converted them into 27 points on the way to the win. Atlanta then finished the sweep in Game 2.
VALKYRIES TRIO
Cecilia Zandalasini — 22 PTS
Tiffany Hayes — 21 PTS
Gabby Williams — 20 PTS
That’s 63 combined points in Golden State’s 104–80 Game 1 win. Zandalasini set a postseason career high, Hayes delivered her 21 off the bench, and Williams tied her playoff career high.
Storylines to Watch
Can Anyone Slow Down A’ja Now?
Indiana managed to force a Game 3, but A’ja Wilson answered with 36 points as Las Vegas won 94–83 and closed the series 2–1. The defending champs are through, and they’ll face tonight’s Golden State–Dallas winner.
Atlanta Is Back in the Semifinals
The Dream finished Washington in two games, winning Game 2 93–75 to complete the sweep. Atlanta reaches the semifinals for the first time since 2018, where New York is waiting.
Who Survives Golden State–Dallas?
THIS is the one that’s still actually a question. 😂 Dallas answered that Game 1 blowout with a 108–100 overtime win, powered by Arike Ogunbowale’s WNBA playoff-record 45 points. Golden State gets Game 3 at home tonight, and the winner gets Las Vegas in the semifinals.
Can Dallas Find Paige Some Help?
Paige Bueckers scored 21 on 9-of-10 shooting, but Golden State still won by 24. The Valkyries had three 20-point scorers and buried 18 threes. Dallas needs considerably more around Bueckers Wednesday to extend the series.
What’s Next…
Three semifinal spots are locked. One first-round series remains. Here’s what’s coming next.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
Dallas Wings at Golden State Valkyries
9:00 PM ET · ESPN2
Series tied 1–1
Game 3 — Winner advances
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream
Semifinals · Game 1
Time TBD · TV TBD
Series begins 0–0
