2026 WNBA Playoffs: Bracket, Schedule and First-Round Scores
The 2026 WNBA playoffs delivered a historic upset on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when the No. 8-seeded New York Liberty eliminated the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx with an 87-71 victory in Game 2 of their first-round series, according to ESPN reporting. New York secured the series 2-0 after taking Game 1 by a score of 91-75 on Sunday, September 27, 2026, marking the first time in league history that an eighth-seeded team has defeated a top seed in the postseason.
New York Liberty Sweep Minnesota Lynx
The Liberty capitalized on their momentum after a strong opening win to sweep the regular-season favorites on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Minnesota entered the postseason as the top seed and tournament favorite, but struggled to find answers against New York’s playoff roster. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve addressed the team’s exit by noting that the group overachieved during the campaign but ultimately did not have the right mix for a deep playoff run, as reported by ESPN.
With the sweep, the Liberty advance to the best-of-five semifinals. They will face the No. 4-seeded Atlanta Dream, who punched their own ticket on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with a 93-75 victory over the Washington Mystics. The Dream swept their first-round series 2-0, following a 92-77 win in Game 1 on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2018.
Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever Force Game 3 Against Las Vegas Aces
In the other half of the playoff bracket, the Indiana Fever forced a decisive Game 3 against the Las Vegas Aces following a 99-89 victory on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Facing elimination after dropping Game 1 by a score of 102-85 on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Caitlin Clark delivered a landmark postseason performance. ESPN reported that Clark recorded the first 25-point, 15-assist game in WNBA history to keep Indiana’s season alive.
The winner-take-all Game 3 between the Aces and the Fever is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on USA Network and Fubo, with the winner advancing to face the surviving team from the series between the Golden State Valkyries and the Dallas Wings.
2026 Postseason Schedule and Semifinal Matchups
The opening round uses a 1-1-1 format where the higher-seeded team hosts Game 1 and, if necessary, Game 3. Meanwhile, the Dallas Wings sought to force a Game 3 against the Golden State Valkyries in their first-round matchup on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after dropping the series opener 104-80 on Sunday, September 27, 2026. If a third game is required between Golden State and Dallas, it will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The best-of-five semifinals are set to begin on Sunday, October 4, 2026, utilizing a 2-2-1 format where higher seeds host Games 1, 2, and a potential Game 5. The 2026 WNBA Finals are scheduled to open on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as a best-of-seven series.