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WNBA Playoff Picture 2026, Bracket Predictions and Scenarios Before Season Finales

Zach Bachar
Sep 23, 2026

The 2026 WNBA playoffs are on the verge of starting, as Thursday will mark the last day of the regular season.

All eight playoff teams are set, but the exact seeding for several squads still isn't finalized.

Here's a look at the updated playoff picture after the Atlanta Dream secured an 83-65 win over the New York Liberty on Wednesday.

Updated WNBA Playoff Picture

  1. Minnesota Lynx (32-11)
  2. Golden State Valkyries (31-12)
  3. Las Vegas Aces (30-13)
  4. Atlanta Dream (30-14)
  5. Indiana Fever (28-15)
  6. Washington Mystics (27-16)
  7. Dallas Wings (26-17)
  8. New York Liberty (26-18)

With the victory, Atlanta officially clinched the No. 4 seed heading into the playoffs. New York's loss ensured that the Liberty are the No. 8 seed, while Dallas is set at No. 7.

The Lynx have also locked up the No. 1 seed, but the Valkyries and Aces are still battling for No. 2.

Golden State can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win in its regular-season finale or a loss by Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Aces need the Valkyries to lose to go along with their own victory or else they'll be locked into No. 3.

As for Indiana, the Fever will be the No. 5 seed unless they lose on Thursday and the Mystics win. If either of those results don't occur, Washington is set to enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.

Considering Indiana is closing out the regular season against a Minnesota team that doesn't need to worry about seeding, it isn't hard to imagine the Fever ultimately staying at No. 5 heading into the playoffs.