The 2026 WNBA playoffs tipped off Sunday with a full slate, and it did not take long for the first round to feel like it is on a timer.
It is a best-of-three, which means every series tightens the moment you drop Game 1. And history says it is not automatic either: three of the four first-round series from 2025 went to a winner-take-all Game 3, and in two of those matchups the Game 1 loser still advanced.
Sunday, Sept. 27 results
- New York Liberty 91, Minnesota Lynx 75
- Las Vegas Aces 102, Indiana Fever 85
- Atlanta Dream 92, Washington Mystics 77
- Golden State Valkyries 104, Dallas Wings 80
Bracket check
All four series now tilt to the Game 1 winner, with four teams one win from moving on.
- Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty: Liberty lead 1-0
- Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever: Aces lead 1-0
- Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics: Dream lead 1-0
- Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings: Valkyries lead 1-0
Game 1 takeaways
Liberty 91, Lynx 75
Breanna Stewart saved her loudest statement for the opener. After a regular season in which she rarely factored into the MVP race and New York slipped to eighth, the eight-time All-Star put the Liberty on her back in a 91-75 upset.
Stewart finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks, the kind of all-around line that changes what the Liberty look like on the fly.
Minnesota did respond after an early hole and even carried a 44-40 lead into halftime. But New York was sharper to open the third quarter, and the Lynx never settled into a groove after that.
The Lynx have plenty to clean up. Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride combined for 26 points, and Olivia Miles had a rough first playoff game, going 3-of-12 with four turnovers and one assist.
Aces 102, Fever 85
A'ja Wilson was the game. She went for 38 points and 16 rebounds and added her 26th double-double all time in the postseason, powering Las Vegas to a 102-85 win.
Indiana had no answer as Wilson shot 15-of-19 from the field and knocked down both of her three-point attempts.
Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young added structure to the whole thing, combining for 35 points and 18 assists. Las Vegas was plus-27 with each of those two players on the floor.
The Fever made it harder on themselves when Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark combined to shoot 10-of-33. Las Vegas only had seven players score, but the depth talk fades when Wilson, Gray and Young are this effective.
Dream 92, Mystics 77
Atlanta and Washington were on even terms by the break, and then the third quarter flipped the night.
Led by Angel Reese's double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds and Rhyne Howard's game-high 26 points, the Dream pulled away for a 92-77 win.
The Dream trailed by five at halftime, then steamrolled the Mystics with a 29-12 third quarter. Atlanta also scored the first five points of the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to 17 points, and it was smooth sailing from there.
Sonia Citron did what she could for Washington with 25 points and six rebounds. Game 2 will be in Washington on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Valkyries 104, Wings 80
For one quarter it was close. Then Golden State turned the second quarter into a blowout.
The Valkyries outscored the Wings 37-11 in the second quarter and never looked back in a 104-80 win.
Golden State shot 49 percent from the field (36-of-74) and 50 percent from three (18-of-36). They piled up 22 assists with only four turnovers and won the boards 33-30. It was a borderline perfect performance.
Three Valkyries players scored 20 or more points, led by Cecilia Zandalasini's game-high 22 points. Paige Bueckers led Dallas with 21 points and six rebounds. Game 2 is set for Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET.
What I'm watching next
- Liberty vs. Lynx: Minnesota was up 44-40 at halftime, then lost the thread after the break. How the Lynx respond early in Game 2 will tell you a lot.
- Aces vs. Fever: Indiana needs a different shooting night from Mitchell and Clark after the 10-of-33 Game 1.
- Dream vs. Mystics: Washington has to answer the 29-12 third quarter swing and keep Atlanta from getting comfortable for long stretches.
- Valkyries vs. Wings: Dallas cannot afford another quarter like 37-11 in a best-of-three.