The 2026 WNBA playoffs are officially underway, with the bracket now set. The best-of-three first round began on Sunday, followed by the best-of-five semifinals starting Oct. 4, and the best-of-seven WNBA Finals commencing Oct. 17.
The first round follows a 1-1-1 format, with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3 if necessary. The semifinals use a 2-2-1 format, where the better seed hosts Games 1, 2, and 5 if needed. In the WNBA Finals, the top seed hosts Games 1, 2, and if necessary, 5 and 7, following a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
First round
Best-of-three series
(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) New York Liberty
New York leads, 1-0
Game 1: New York 91, Minnesota 75
Game 2: Minnesota at New York, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. ET, USA/CNBC
Game 3: New York at Minnesota, Thursday, TBD
(2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (7) Dallas Wings
Game 1: Dallas at Golden State, Sunday, 9 p.m. ET, USA/CNBC
Game 2: Golden State at Dallas, Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3: Dallas at Golden State, Friday, TBD
(3) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Indiana Fever
Las Vegas leads, 1-0
Game 1: Las Vegas 102, Indiana 85
Game 2: Las Vegas at Indiana, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. ET, Prime
Game 3: Indiana at Las Vegas, Thursday, TBD
(4) Atlanta Dream vs. (5) Washington Mystics
Atlanta leads, 1-0
Game 1: Atlanta 92, Washington 77
Game 2: Atlanta at Washington, Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 3: Washington at Atlanta, Friday, TBD
Semifinals
Best-of-five series
Sunday, Oct. 4
Game 1: TBD, ABC
Game 1: TBD, NBC/Peacock
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Game 2: TBD, ESPN
Game 2: TBD, Peacock/NBCSN
Friday, Oct. 9
Game 3: TBD, ESPN2
Game 3: TBD, Peacock/NBCSN
Sunday, Oct. 11
Game 4: TBD, ABC
Game 4: TBD, NBC, Peacock
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Game 5: TBD, ESPN
Game 5: TBD, Peacock/NBCSN
WNBA Finals
Best-of-seven series
Saturday, Oct. 17
Game 1: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Monday, Oct. 19
Game 2: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock
Thursday, Oct. 22
Game 3: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock
Saturday, Oct. 24
Game 4: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Monday, Oct. 26
Game 5: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock
Thursday, Oct. 29
Game 6: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock
Saturday, Oct. 31
Game 7: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock
If necessary
Also Read
- Mike Baird Steps Down as Cricket Australia Chair Following NSW Withdrawal of Support
- USA Seizes Dominance Over International Team in Thriving Presidents Cup Final Day
- Takuma Inoue Sets His Sights on Multiple Bantamweight Titles After Second Nasukawa Win
- India-Afghanistan Asian Games Quarterfinal Weather Crisis: Rain Threat May Force Match Cancellation
