2026 WNBA Playoffs Preview: Teams, Schedule, and Key Players

The 2026 WNBA regular season has concluded, and the playoff field is set with eight teams. The playoffs start on Sunday, September 27, and continue throughout October, culminating in the WNBA Finals, which could extend to Halloween night if a Game 7 is necessary.

This year, the WNBA playoffs feature the following teams:

- Minnesota Lynx

- Golden State Valkyries

- Las Vegas Aces

- Atlanta Dream

- Washington Mystics

- Indiana Fever

- Dallas Wings

- New York Liberty

The playoff format includes four First Round series, followed by two Semifinals and the WNBA Finals. There are no first-round byes as all eight teams compete.

Here’s the initial playoff bracket:

- First Round: Minnesota Lynx (1) vs. New York Liberty (8)

- First Round: Golden State Valkyries (2) vs. Dallas Wings (7)

- First Round: Las Vegas Aces (3) vs. Indiana Fever (6)

- First Round: Atlanta Dream (4) vs. Washington Mystics (5)

In the Semifinals, the winners of the respective matchups will face off:

- Semifinal 1: Winner of (1) vs. Winner of (4/5)

- Semifinal 2: Winner of (2) vs. Winner of (3/6)

The following games will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock (exact times are still to be determined):

- Semifinal Game 1 - October 4

- Semifinal Game 2 - October 7 (Peacock)

- Semifinal Game 3 - October 9 (Peacock)

- Semifinal Game 4 (if necessary) - October 11

- Semifinal Game 5 (if necessary) - October 14 (Peacock)

- Finals Game 1 - October 17

- Finals Game 2 - October 19 (Peacock)

- Finals Game 3 - October 22 (Peacock)

- Finals Game 4 - October 24

- Finals Game 5 (if necessary) - October 26 (Peacock)

- Finals Game 6 (if necessary) - October 29 (Peacock)

- Finals Game 7 (if necessary) - October 31 (Peacock)

The playoffs will showcase several standout players, including:

- A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, aiming for her fifth MVP award.

- Caitlin Clark from the Indiana Fever, one of the league's top scorers.

- Brenna Stewart from the New York Liberty, a seasoned veteran known for her scoring and rebounding skills.

- Olivia Miles of the Minnesota Lynx, a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year.

- Angel Reese from the Atlanta Dream, recognized as the league’s top rebounder.

- Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, bringing her clutch performance from college to the playoffs.