WNBA Playoff Bracket Predictions for Every 2026 Series

The 2026 WNBA playoff bracket is set, and this year's pool feels more wide open than it's been in years.

Just seven games separated No. 1 seed Minnesota from No. 8 New York, while only three games were the difference between No. 4 Atlanta and the top spot. 

Then there's Golden State, which nearly finished with the league's best record in just its second season as an expansion franchise, and Washington, which earned the No. 5 seed with the youngest roster in WNBA history. Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young are chasing their fourth championships, while Chelsea Gray looks to tie the all-time record with her fifth.

There are plenty of fun storylines heading into the postseason, with many teams having a legitimate shot at making a deep run.

Let's run through our predictions for every series, from the first round all the way to the WNBA Finals.

(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (8) New York Liberty

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Congratulations, Minnesota. You went 33-11 on your way to the No. 1 seed. For your efforts, you get to see Breanna Stewart in the first round.

The superstar forward averaged 25.7 points on 55.8 percent shooting from the field against Minnesota this season, winning two of their three matchups.

But Minnesota has been the better team all season, and it does it on both sides of the floor. The Lynx are one of just two teams to rank in the top five in both offensive and defensive rating. With Olivia Miles, Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride—and coach Cheryl Reeve scheming things up—they present too many challenges for a New York team that isn't as athletic as it was in years past.

New York does have the size to mix up its coverages against Miles, throwing Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones at her. They gave Miles some trouble during the season (32 percent from the field), forcing her to become more of a scorer than a playmaker.

We think New York could steal a game, but it's hard to see the Liberty winning the series unless Sabrina Ionescu goes nuclear from three. She shot under 30 percent from deep for the second straight season and enters the playoffs shooting just 31.3 percent from the field over her last 12 games.

Prediction: Lynx in 2

(2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (7) Dallas Wings

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This should be a fascinating series. Golden State has undoubtedly been an excellent regular-season team, but how does that translate to playoff basketball? The Valkyries rank No. 7 in offensive rating and don't have an elite shot creator who can consistently bail them out late in games.

Dallas has exactly that in Paige Bueckers, and that gives the Wings a chance in this series. But it's going to take an all-time tough-shot-making masterclass, considering the number of defenders Golden State has to make her life as difficult as possible. 

The Wings lost all three regular-season matchups against Golden State and failed to score over 80 points in any of them. Gabby Williams was terrific in those matchups, averaging 22.3 points per game—her most against any opponent. Dallas just doesn't really have any quality wing defenders, especially without Azzi Fudd, who's out for the season with a knee injury.

There are also major worries about Jessica Shepard defensively in this series. The Valkyries do a great job of spreading the floor, forcing switches and creating advantageous positions to attack, which could put Shepard in some uncomfortable spots. Theoretically, you just hide her on Kiah Stokes, but that's easier said than done.

Prediction: Valkyries in 2

(3) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Indiana Fever

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There's no doubt this is the most exciting matchup of the first round. A'ja Wilson vs. Aliyah Boston, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young vs. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, plus the chess match between Becky Hammon and Stephanie White. It's insane that we're getting these teams in the first round. There were scenarios where this could have been a Finals matchup. 

These are the two best offensive teams in the league, and two of the best offenses in WNBA history. Indiana has the highest offensive rating of all time, with Las Vegas closely behind them at No. 4.

This series could come down to who gets enough stops when it matters most, and we have more confidence in Las Vegas being able to do that. Indiana has the worst defense among all playoff teams, with some major limitations on the perimeter. How exactly do they keep Jackie Young from getting to the rim whenever she wants? Or deal with those Young-Wilson ball screens?

It could go either way, though. If Indiana gets 55 points per game from Clark and Mitchell, plus an efficient 18 points from Boston, what's stopping them from winning a few shootouts?

Prediction: Aces in 3

(4) Atlanta Dream vs. (5) Washington Mystics

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If you love defense and rebounding, this is the series for you. Atlanta and Washington ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in defensive rating and dominated opponents on the glass more consistently than anyone else in the league, thanks in large part to Angel Reese and Kiki Iriafen.

It's totally possible Washington forces a Game 3 in this series (they have a chance to win it), but Atlanta has more playoff experience and, frankly, more pathways to victory. 

The Dream attempt eight more threes per game, giving them a pretty clear advantage in the math battle. So if Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray catch fire from three, it's hard to see the Mystics keeping up. 

And if the shots aren't falling from three, Atlanta can still do enough damage in transition to win an ugly offensive game. Washington has the highest turnover rate in the league, while Atlanta forces more turnovers than any other team.

Shakira Austin's play on both ends will be crucial to Washington's success in this series. She has been on an absolute tear since the All-Star break, averaging over 20 points per game. Austin could also be key to slowing down Angel Reese, who shot just 30.6 percent from two across three matchups against the Mystics—her lowest mark against any opponent.

Prediction: Dream in 2

The Semifinals

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(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (4) Atlanta Dream

This could be a really fun series. Minnesota presents some unique challenges for Atlanta with how well it takes care of the ball, creates efficient looks around the rim and keeps opponents off the free-throw line. But Atlanta can create problems of its own with its offensive rebounding and defensive versatility.

In a playoff series, opponents will poke at every limitation you have and try to capitalize on any weakness. That's where some of Atlanta's concerns become more important. The Dream have three starters who aren't reliable shooters, and Minnesota will likely be more than happy to let those players beat them from three.

There are also some questions about Atlanta's rim protection with Bri Jones sidelined for the rest of the season. Opponents shoot 59.8 percent at the rim against the Dream—the lowest mark among all playoff teams—per Synergy Sports.

Atlanta is capable of beating anyone, but as we mentioned earlier, the playoffs are about pathways to success and having multiple ways to win when things don't go your way. Minnesota has the pick-and-roll playmaking, shooting, finishing and defense to make things difficult on Atlanta.

Prediction: Lynx in 4

(2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (3) Las Vegas Aces

With all due respect to the Golden State Valkyries, whoever wins the first round between Las Vegas and Indiana will likely be my pick to advance to the Finals. But an Indiana matchup would be more favorable.

I just don't see a way for the Valkyries to score enough points to keep up with the Aces' Big Three. Las Vegas won all three regular-season matchups, and no team averaged more points per game against Golden State this season than the Aces (89.0).

Stokes is obviously Golden State's best option to defend Wilson, but are we sure she'll even be playable offensively in a series where the Valkyries need to score enough points to win? Then you're looking at Janelle Salaün playing small-ball 5 minutes, and, uh, I don't feel great about that either.

We could be looking at a sweep for the Aces, but I hope the Valkyries prove me wrong, though. It sure would be cool if a team without a superstar player made (or even won) the Finals.

Prediction: Aces in 3

The Finals

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(1) Minnesota Lynx vs. (3) Las Vegas Aces

The two best players of the last half decade. The point gawd and the rookie who grew up modeling her game after her. Two of the most efficient perimeter scorers of this era. The two best coaches in the sport.

There would be nothing better than this.

There's a lot of basketball to be played before we get to this series, but at this point, Minnesota's well-rounded roster instills more confidence.

Both teams have the star power, but I sure do feel better about the Lynx's fourth and fifth starters being Courtney Williams and Natasha Howard (two All-Stars), compared to Las Vegas having Bri Turner and Stephanie Talbot.

A rookie starting point guard has never won a WNBA Finals, but nothing about Miles' play screams "rookie." If she doesn't falter in the moment, everything the Lynx do offensively is going to flow through her. When she's picking teams apart in ball screens and creating advantages at will, there's almost no answer.

Prediction: Lynx in 7