The 2026 WNBA playoffs open Sunday, and the bracket is set. The Golden State Valkyries rallied to beat the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night and claimed the No. 2 seed, locking in the final matchup of the first round. That means four best-of-three series will tip off across the league, with the higher seeds hosting the first and third games.
Kelsey Mitchell broke A’ja Wilson’s single-season points record during the regular season. Olivia Miles broke Caitlin Clark’s rookie scoring record. Clark became the first player in WNBA history with a 40-point, 10-assist game. Angel Reese broke the single-game rebounding record with 26. Marina Mabrey tied the single-game scoring record with 53 points. It has been a season of records, and now the postseason begins.
Valkyries Rally to No. 2 Seed
Thursday night belonged to the Valkyries. They overcame a 16-point deficit to take down the Los Angeles Sparks in Nneka Ogwumike’s farewell game, securing the No. 2 seed in the process. The win capped a wild regular season for the league, which saw two expansion teams join the fold and rookies like Miles make immediate impacts.
First Round Match-Ups
The first round is a best-of-three format, with the higher seed hosting the first and third games. The lower seed gets the middle game. If necessary, a decisive third game settles the series.
- No. 1 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 8 New York Liberty, a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals
- No. 2 Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings
- No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever, defending their title from last year
- No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 5 Washington Mystics
Each series opens Sunday with Game 1. Tuesday brings Game 2, and Wednesday wraps up the first round with Game 3 if needed.
How to Watch the Playoffs
The schedule runs through early October, with the Finals stretching to seven games. The Finals will be a best-of-seven series for just the second time in league history.
| Date | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Sept. 27 | Game 1 | TBD |
| Tues, Sept. 29 | Game 2 | USA/fubo, Prime |
| Wed, Sept. 30 | Game 3* | ESPN2/fubo, Prime |
| Sat, Oct. 17 | Game 1 | NBC/fubo |
| Mon, Oct. 19 | Game 2 | USA/fubo |
| Thurs, Oct. 22 | Game 3 | USA/fubo |
| Sat, Oct. 24 | Game 4 | NBC/fubo |
| Mon, Oct. 26 | Game 5* | USA/fubo |
| Thurs, Oct. 29 | Game 6* | USA/fubo |
| Sat, Oct. 31 | Game 7* | USA/fubo |
ESPN and NBCSN handle the semifinals, while NBC carries the Finals. The league does not separate teams by conferences for the playoffs; it simply takes the top eight squads from across the league.
Labor Raise Sets the Stage
The 2026 season began amid a contentious labor battle that resulted in a historic raise for the players. The salary cap jumped from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7 million in 2026.
That backdrop made this season feel different from the start. The league added two expansion teams, which meant new markets were getting WNBA basketball for the first time. The rookies responded immediately, with Miles already proving herself a generational talent.
Record-Breaking Regular Season
The regular season was defined by individual achievements. Mitchell’s points record and Miles’ rookie scoring record highlight a season full of milestones.
Clark’s 40-point, 10-assist game was a first in WNBA history. Reese’s 26 rebounds in a single game broke the rebounding record. Mabrey’s 53-point performance tied the scoring record.
Those numbers speak to the quality of play across the league. Every team had something to offer, and the records kept falling throughout the season.
Playoff Format Explained
The first round is best-of-three, with the higher seed hosting the first and third games. The lower seed gets the middle game. If necessary, a decisive third game settles the series.
The semifinals are best-of-five. The Finals are best-of-seven for the second time in league history.
“The WNBA does not separate teams by conferences for the playoffs, it merely features the top eight squads from across the league.”
That format gives teams a chance to overcome an early deficit, which is exactly what the Valkyries showed in their comeback against the Sparks.
What Comes Next
The playoffs start Sunday, and the Finals could stretch to seven games for the second time in league history. That format rewards teams that can manage a deep run, from the first-round opener to a potential seventh game on Oct. 31.
The first round will determine which teams advance to the semifinals. The semifinals are best-of-five, and the Finals are best-of-seven. That means the championship could come down to a seventh game on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The league has held a best-of-seven Finals twice in its history, making this a significant moment for the sport. The format rewards consistency and depth, which should make for a compelling conclusion to the season.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 WNBA playoffs promise to be a thrilling month of basketball. The records set during the regular season foreshadow a competitive postseason, with the best teams fighting for the title.
The Valkyries’ late-season surge to the No. 2 seed adds drama to the bracket. Their path to the Finals is now set, and the league’s first-ever best-of-seven Finals awaits.
The playoffs begin Sunday, and the championship will be decided on Saturday, Oct. 31. That is a long road ahead, and every game along the way counts.
Fans who want to follow the action should mark their calendars and tune in across ESPN, NBC, NBCSN, USA and fubo. The Finals will be a best-of-seven series for just the second time in league history.
Source material: “2026 WNBA playoffs bracket, schedule: The first-round match-ups are set after Valkyries rally for No. 2 seed,” CBS Sports.
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