Playoff basketball has a way of turning all the regular-season math into a very human problem: can you handle the moment when everything tightens up? Sunday was the first real answer for all eight teams, and the 2026 WNBA postseason opened with four Game 1 statements, highlighted by New York’s upset of the top-seeded Lynx and a pair of huge star performances.
Updated 2026 WNBA playoffs bracket
The first round is a best-of-three, so every early swing matters. Here’s where each series stands after Sunday’s Game 1s:
- Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty: Liberty lead 1-0 (Liberty won Game 1, 91-75)
- Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever: Aces lead 1-0 (Aces won Game 1, 102-85)
- Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream: Dream lead 1-0 (Dream won Game 1, 92-77)
- Dallas Wings vs. Golden State Valkyries: Valkyries lead 1-0 (Valkyries won Game 1, 104-80)
Sunday’s WNBA playoff results
Sunday, Sept. 27
- 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
Game 1 takeaways
Liberty take Game 1 behind a Breanna Stewart masterpiece
If you’re New York, this is the blueprint. Breanna Stewart was magnificent in a 91-75 upset of the top-seeded Lynx, finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Lynx got 26 combined points from Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride, but the overall rhythm never really settled once New York seized control after halftime. Minnesota did climb out of an early hole and even went to the break up 44-40, but the third quarter belonged to the Liberty.
One thing I’m circling for Game 2: Olivia Miles looked like a rookie in her first playoff game, shooting 3-of-12 with four turnovers and one assist. You’d trust Cheryl Reeve and her staff to make the necessary adjustments.
A’ja Wilson sets the tone in Aces win
Las Vegas made this simple: A’ja Wilson was the biggest problem on the floor, and Indiana never found an answer.
Wilson erupted for 38 points and 16 rebounds in a 102-85 Game 1 win over the Fever. She went 15-of-19 from the field and hit both of her three-point tries. It also marked her 26th postseason double-double.
And it was not a solo act. Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young combined for 35 points and 18 assists, and Las Vegas was plus-27 with each of them on the floor. Indiana can live with a lot of things, but it cannot live with Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark combining to shoot 10-of-33.
Atlanta’s third-quarter surge flips Dream-Mystics
This one was competitive until it wasn’t. Atlanta went into halftime down five, then came out and took control.
The Dream beat Washington 92-77 behind Rhyne Howard’s 26 points and an Angel Reese double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Washington got a strong performance from Sonia Citron, who had 25 points and six rebounds, but the decisive stretch was Atlanta’s 29-12 third quarter.
Then they opened the fourth by scoring the first five points, stretching the lead to 17 and turning the final minutes into a cruise.
Next up: Game 2 is in Washington on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Golden State drops a 37-11 quarter and rolls Dallas
For one quarter, it looked like a series. Then Golden State blew the game open.
The Valkyries beat the Wings 104-80, using a jaw-dropping 37-11 second quarter to break things open. Cecilia Zandalasini led the way with 22 points, and three Golden State players reached 20-plus. Paige Bueckers paced Dallas with 21 points and six rebounds.
The team-level efficiency is what jumps off the page: Golden State shot 49 percent overall (36-of-74) and 50 percent from three (18-of-36). They piled up 22 assists against just four turnovers. They also out-rebounded Dallas 33-30. It was a borderline perfect performance.
Next up: Game 2 is Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET.
What I’m watching in Game 2
- Can Minnesota look sharper after the break? The Lynx led at halftime in Game 1 and never found a groove in the third quarter. That stretch is the swing point.
- Indiana’s backcourt efficiency: The Fever will need more than a combined 10-of-33 from Mitchell and Clark to keep pace.
- Washington’s third-quarter answer: Atlanta’s 29-12 burst decided Game 1. The Mystics have to steady that portion of the game.
- Dallas’ ball security: Golden State had 22 assists against four turnovers in Game 1. If that holds, it is hard to change the math.
Quick FAQ
What format is the first round?
Best-of-three.
Who is up 1-0 after Sunday?
New York, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Golden State all lead their series 1-0.