WNBA playoffs 2026 predictions for every first-round series

Eleven games separated the first and eighth seeds in the 2025 WNBA playoffs.This season, the gap is much smaller.The league’s parity has arguably never been greater.

The chance for an upset or three is there, and the title is up for grabs.Will the league’s best team for the entire season win it all? Or will a franchise capture its first title?Maybe a sleeper team makes a run.It all starts Sunday.Here’s a look at the matchups for the best-of-three first round:Game 1: at Minnesota, Sunday, 2 p.m.ET, ABC Game 2: at New York, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.

ET, USA/CNBCGame 3*: at Minnesota, Thursday, TBDMatchup to watch: The Liberty had success slowing Olivia Miles in their last meeting by throwing the kitchen sink at the rookie.But did New York show its hand too soon?Prediction: Lynx in 3.Game 1: at Golden State, Sunday, 9 p.m.

ET, USA/CNBCGame 2: at Dallas, Wednesday, 9 p.m.ET, ESPNGame 3*: at Golden State, Friday, TBDMatchup to watch: The Valkyries have the league’s best defense, which is designed to stifle the league’s biggest stars, including Paige Bueckers.

The injury-plagued Wings might not have the juice to survive this series.Prediction: Valkyries in 2.Game 1: at Las Vegas, Sunday, 4 p.m.ET, ABCGame 2: at Indiana, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

ET, Amazon Prime VideoGame 3*: at Las Vegas, Thursday, TBDMatchup to watch: The Fever’s historically potent offense is going up against the Aces’ top-five defense.Another fun storyline: A’ja Wilson versus Aliyah Boston, two South Carolina alums contending to be Dawn Staley’s favorite.Prediction: Fever in 3.Game 1: at Atlanta, Sunday, 7 p.m.

ET, Amazon Prime VideoGame 2: at Washington, Wednesday, 7 p.m.ET, ESPNGame 3*: at Atlanta, Friday, TBDMatchup to watch: This series will be the battle of the bigs: the Mystics’ Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen versus the Dream’s Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon.

Win the war inside to advance.Prediction: Dream in 3....