The upcoming WNBA playoffs promise the deepest field in league history, featuring all eight teams vying for a spot in the Finals.

Every franchise has a realistic shot at advancing to the Finals should circumstances align, as the best‑of‑three format introduces unpredictability. The competition is tighter than in prior years, with only marginal differences separating the top and bottom seeds.

What’s even more fascinating is how team perceptions have shifted from the regular season to the postseason.

The Liberty entered May as title favorites but now sit at No. 8 in the bracket.

The Valkyries were longshots at 30‑to‑1 before the season and have emerged with the second‑best record in the league.

Meanwhile, the Mystics were priced at 80‑to‑1 in the preseason and have secured the fifth seed heading into the playoffs.

The Lynx are installed as championship favorites at +110 odds, a well‑earned nod for posting the league’s best regular‑season record. However, the betting market appears to be overlooking two squads in particular.

All the attention surrounding the Lynx this season has somewhat eclipsed the reigning champions, the Aces, who may be flying under the radar.

Las Vegas finished the season with the second‑best offensive rating, driven largely by A’ja Wilson’s dynamic play. Wilson can penetrately score at will while still guarding multiple positions, yet the Aces remain at +480 to win the title—slightly more expensive than the +440 odds they carried into the season.

WNBA championship odds

Minnesota Lynx +110
Las Vegas Aces +480
Golden State Valkyries +650
Atlanta Dream +700
Indiana Fever +950
New York Liberty 14/1
Washington Mystics 80/1
Dallas Wings 100/1
Odds via FanDuel

The Aces will open against the high‑octane Fever and could face the Valkyries in the second round if both advance. The Fever bring scoring punch but lack defensive cohesion, while the Valkyries rank near the bottom in offensive efficiency.

Neither opponent possesses the two‑way balance that the Aces can muster. At their peak, the Fever offer only average defense, and the Valkyries struggle to generate consistent offense.

The Atlanta Dream pose another potential threat. They are one of only three teams—alongside the Lynx and Aces—to rank in the top five for both offensive and defensive efficiency this season.

Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson (22) drives to the basket during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. NBAE via Getty Images

Angel Reese has emerged as one of the league’s premier defensive players, dominating the paint with relentless rebounding and second‑chance scoring.

If the Dream advance past the Mystics in the first round, they can take confidence from having swept the season series against both the Liberty and the Lynx, who sit on the same side of the bracket.

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