There are two kinds of playoff openers: the ones that confirm everything we thought we knew, and the ones that flip the whole bracket on its head. Sunday’s full slate landed squarely in that second category.
All eight playoff teams hit the floor to start the 2026 WNBA postseason, and with the first round set as a best-of-three, every early punch matters. We just watched a lower seed walk into a top seed’s building and take Game 1. We also saw a superstar hang a stat line so loud it practically echoed into Game 2.
Updated WNBA playoffs bracket
Here’s where each first-round series stands after Game 1.
- Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty: Liberty lead 1-0 (NY won Game 1, 91-75)
- Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever: Aces lead 1-0 (LV won Game 1, 102-85)
- Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics: Dream lead 1-0 (ATL won Game 1, 92-77)
- Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings: Valkyries lead 1-0 (GS won Game 1, 104-80)
Game 1 scores
- 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
What changed on Day 1
Liberty steal Game 1 behind a monster Stewart night
If you are New York, this is the blueprint. Breanna Stewart put the Liberty on her shoulders in a 91-75 upset of Minnesota, stuffing the box score with 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
What stood out to me was how quickly the Liberty looked like a different team when Stewart had that takeover gear turned on. Minnesota actually battled back from an early deficit and led 44-40 at halftime, but the third quarter belonged to New York, and the Lynx never really found a comfortable rhythm after that.
Minnesota’s veteran duo of Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride combined for 26 points, but the Lynx also got a rough playoff opener from Olivia Miles, who went 3-of-12 with four turnovers and one assist. That is the kind of line that can swing with experience and adjustments, which is exactly what the Lynx are counting on heading into Game 2.
A’ja Wilson sets the tone as Aces take control
Las Vegas did what Las Vegas does when it is locked in: it turned a playoff game into a star-driven statement. A’ja Wilson erupted for 38 points and 16 rebounds, shooting 15-of-19 from the field and hitting 2-of-2 from deep.
That double-double was also her 26th all-time in the postseason. Indiana had no real counter once Wilson established her spots and started finishing through contact.
It was not just Wilson, either. 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. The Fever, meanwhile, could not buy enough perimeter scoring when Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark combined to shoot 10-of-33 .
Dream flip the script with a dominant third quarter
Atlanta and Washington felt like a chess match early, and then the Dream hit the gas. After going into halftime down five, Atlanta ripped the game open by outscoring the Mystics 29-12 in the third quarter.
Rhyne Howard led the scoring with 26 points, and Angel Reese did the dirty work that playoff wins are built on, posting 13 points and 12 rebounds. Washington got a strong effort from Sonia Citron, who finished with 25 points and six rebounds, but the third-quarter avalanche decided the night.
Game 2 will be in Washington on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET.
Valkyries detonate in the second quarter
Golden State’s 104-80 win over Dallas had one clear breaking point. After a competitive first quarter, the Valkyries went on a run that basically ended the suspense, outscoring the Wings 37-11 in the second quarter.
The efficiency was eye-popping: Golden State shot 49 percent overall (36-of-74) and 50 percent from three (18-of-36). Even more telling in a playoff setting, they had 22 assists against just four turnovers. They also out-rebounded Dallas 33-30. That is the kind of clean basketball that travels.
Cecilia Zandalasini led Golden State with 22 points, and Dallas got 21 points and six rebounds from Paige Bueckers. But this one was about Golden State’s wave after wave, and how quickly the Wings ran out of answers.
Game 2 is Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET.
Pressure points for Game 2
- Minnesota: The Lynx do not need a total reinvention, but they do need steadier guard play and a cleaner offensive flow after halftime.
- Indiana: The Fever’s path starts with better backcourt efficiency. When Mitchell and Clark are that cold, the margin disappears fast against a team powered by Wilson.
- Washington: The Mystics have to survive the third quarter. You cannot give away a 12-minute stretch by 17 points and expect to out-sprint it late.
- Dallas: The Wings have to find a way to stop the bleeding when Golden State makes its push. A 37-11 quarter is not just a bad stretch. It is a series swing.