The Minnesota Lynx secured the No. 1 seed in the 2026 WNBA playoffs after the Golden State Valkyries’ late-season collapse, setting up a first-round matchup against the New York Liberty. The playoffs begin Sunday, Sept. 27, with the Lynx aiming to end a five-year title drought.
Minnesota Lynx Secure No. 1 Seed as 2026 WNBA Playoff Field Takes Shape
The final standings were decided on the last day of the regular season, with the Valkyries overcoming a 10-point deficit with two-and-a-half minutes left to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 76-75 and claim the No. 2 seed. The Las Vegas Aces secured the 3-seed, while the Washington Mystics jumped to the No. 5 seed after their win over the Chicago Sky and the Indiana Fever’s loss, dropping Indiana to the No. 6 seed. The Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings, and New York Liberty locked in their seeds earlier in the week, with the Lynx clinching the No. 1 seed on Tuesday after the Valkyries’ overtime loss to the Portland Fire. The top four seeds—Lynx, Valkyries, Aces, and Dream—received home-court advantage in the first round, while the Lynx will have home-court throughout the playoffs.
Collier and Miles Lead Minnesota’s Balanced Attack
The Lynx, led by four-time All-WNBA selection Napheesa Collier and rookie sensation Olivia Miles, clinched the top seed with a 34-10 record. Despite a semifinal exit in 2025, coach Cheryl Reeve’s squad enters the playoffs as favorites, with odds of -110 at DraftKings. Minnesota’s 112.3 offensive rating and 104 defensive rating made them the league’s most balanced team.
Valkyries Face Offensive Scrutiny After Inaugural Success
The Golden State Valkyries, despite their 2-1 record against the Lynx, face questions about their offense. The Valkyries’ offensive improvement is notable, as they are averaging nearly five more points per game than in their inaugural 2025 season.
The team’s analytics-heavy approach emphasizes 3-pointers and minimal turnovers, with five of their top eight players in terms of minutes per game aged 30 or older. The Valkyries’ 2026 season included a 17-0 lead against the Portland Fire, which ultimately collapsed in overtime, costing them the No. 1 seed.
Aces and Liberty Bring Star Power to the Bracket
The Las Vegas Aces, led by five-time MVP A’ja Wilson and 18.9 PPG scorer Jackie Young, enter the playoffs on a seven-game winning streak. The Aces, seeking a fourth title, are the No. 3 seed and face the Indiana Fever, the No. 6 seed, in the first round.
Their first-round matchup against the Lynx could be a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, where the Liberty defeated the Lynx in overtime.
High Stakes and Expanded Schedule Define the 2026 Postseason
The playoff format includes a best-of-three first round, best-of-five semifinals, and best-of-seven finals. The first round begins Sunday, Sept. 27, with four games: (2) Valkyries vs. (7) Wings, (4) Dream vs. (5) Mystics, (3) Aces vs. (6) Fever, and (1) Lynx vs. (8) Liberty. The Lynx’s home-court advantage in the first round is a critical factor, as they have the most accomplished head coach in WNBA history, Cheryl Reeve, who has a record-tying four championships and the all-time winningest regular-season record. The Valkyries, despite their 2025 inaugural success, face the challenge of proving they can compete with the league’s elite in a playoff setting.
The 2026 WNBA season, with 44 regular-season games and two new franchises, set a record high. The playoff race remained tight until the final buzzer, with the Mystics’ 101-93 win over the Sky and the Fever’s loss to the Dream solidifying their positions. The Valkyries’ late-game rally against the Sparks, including a 10-point comeback in the final two minutes, highlighted the league’s intensity.
Coach Reeve acknowledged the challenges of the season, stating, We’ve had our ups and downs, but earning the No. 1 seed is a massive accomplishment. The Lynx’s 2026 campaign included a 96-79 loss to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, where they trailed by 29 in the first half. Despite this, Reeve emphasized the importance of rest for key players like Miles, who has been managing a calf injury. The Lynx’s focus shifts to the playoffs, where they aim to finally end their title drought after reaching the finals in 2024 and 2025.