With an everyday season that was as soon as unsure within the rearview, the WNBA playoffs are lastly right here, with all 4 first-round sequence tipping off Sunday.
Beneath, we take a better have a look at 4 key storylines, one for every sequence.
2024 Finals rematch
Two years after assembly in an epic best-of-five championship sequence, the Minnesota Lynx (33-11) and New York Liberty (26-18) are headed in reverse instructions getting into their first playoff sequence since.
The Lynx earned the WNBA’s No. 1 seed for the third yr in a row, whereas the Liberty, hobbled by accidents, limped to an eighth-place end, giving Minnesota an opportunity to get a semblance of revenge for the 2024 Finals loss.
Liberty stars Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones should come up large for New York, which gained the season sequence over the Lynx, 2-1, to tug off the upset. After a gradual begin within the return from the FIBA Ladies’s World Cup, Minnesota made 26 threes over its closing two video games of the common season to open the playoffs with loads of constructive momentum.
Guard Olivia Miles, who set the single-season rookie scoring report (790 factors) this season, missed these closing two video games whereas out with a calf harm. Whereas her absence was described as purely “precautionary,” it’s going to nonetheless be price evaluating. If Minnesota is something lower than 100%, New York may as soon as once more spoil the Lynx’s season.
Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson meet in star-studded Fever-Aces sequence
The celebrities can be out in full power in arguably probably the most thrilling first-round matchup between the Indiana Fever (28-16) and defending champion Las Vegas Aces (31-13).
Aces middle A’ja Wilson, a possible soon-to-be five-time league MVP, and Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who set profession highs in 2026 with 22.3 factors on 44.5 % taking pictures (36.1 % from past the arc), are the headliners, however their sturdy supporting casts will even play very important roles in a rematch of final yr’s best-of-five semifinal matchup Las Vegas gained in 5 video games.
Eight-year veteran Aces guard Jackie Younger averaged a career-high 18.9 factors per sport this season on sturdy 48.8/38.3/92.8 taking pictures splits, whereas Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, enjoying in her ninth season, set a WNBA report with 27 consecutive 20-point video games. She additionally ended the common season with a career-high in scoring (24.7 factors per sport) whereas taking pictures a blistering 50.9 %, together with 45 % from past the arc.
Add Aces guard Chelsea Grey and Fever ahead Aliyah Boston to the combination, and this might be cinema. Hope you have got sufficient popcorn.
Angel Reese’s postseason debut
After mercifully being traded from the Chicago Sky throughout the offseason, Reese is gearing up for her first postseason sequence with the Atlanta Dream (30-14), who’re the No. 4 seed and have home-court benefit within the first spherical towards the upstart Washington Mystics (28-16), who went 16-28 in 2025 and have three starters in both their first or second season.
For the third yr in a row, Reese led the league in rebounds per sport, averaging 12.1 this season. With Brionna Jones (leg) out, she’ll be much more necessary to Atlanta’s frontcourt towards the Mystics, who’ve a pair of fantastic rebounders, middle Shakira Austin and ahead Kiki Iriafen. Per Her Hoop Stats data, Washington led the league in rebounding price (55.6 %) throughout the common season, making Reese’s battle on the boards some of the fascinating of the primary spherical.
The longer term meets in Dallas-Golden State
Each the Dallas Wings (27-17) and Golden State Valkyries (32-12) are forward of schedule. After the primary spherical, one can be a sequence win shy of enjoying for a WNBA title.
Contemplating the place each groups ended final season, that is a outstanding win. Golden State, the league’s finest defensive crew, is in solely its second season and was swept out of the playoffs in its inaugural marketing campaign. Dallas had the previous two No. 1 total picks whereas going 19-65 from 2024-25.
This primary-round sequence might be a preview of the league’s future. Solely the following time these groups meet within the playoffs, there could be much more at stake.
