2026 WNBA Playoffs: Teams, Scenarios, and Viewing Options

WNBA 2026 Playoff Teams

As the WNBA 2026 regular season nears its end, eight teams are preparing for the playoffs. These teams are:

• Minnesota Lynx (32-10)
• Golden State Valkyries (31-11)
• Las Vegas Aces (29-13)
• Atlanta Dream (28-14)
• Indiana Fever (27-15)
• New York Liberty (26-16)
• Washington Mystics (26-16)
• Dallas Wings (26-16)

The regular season concludes on Thursday, September 24, with playoff action beginning on Sunday, September 27.

Seeding Scenarios

These eight teams are confirmed for the playoffs but still need to finalize their seedings. The Minnesota Lynx lead, needing a win or a Valkyries loss to secure the top spot. They hold the tiebreaker over Golden State after winning the season series 3-1. The Lynx face the Indiana Fever twice this week.

The Golden State Valkyries will take on the Portland Fire on Tuesday and the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. The top four seeds will have home court advantage in the first round, which the Lynx and Valkyries have already secured.

The Las Vegas Aces can clinch home court if the Atlanta Dream lose. The Dream need to either win their remaining games or hope for a Fever loss to secure home court advantage. They cannot clinch it in their game against the Liberty.

Seeding and Tiebreakers

Seeding relies on several criteria:

• Head-to-head record
• Winning percentage against teams at .500 or better
• Head-to-head point differential
• Overall point differential

For ties involving three or more teams, the process eliminates as many teams as possible at each step, then restarts from the beginning with the remaining teams.

Viewing WNBA Playoff Games

NBC and Peacock will broadcast several playoff games. Peacock will simulcast USA’s network coverage produced by Versant’s USA Sports for Games 2-3 and 5-7 of the Finals.

Upcoming Playoff Games

• Semifinals Game 1: October 4, 2026 – TBD – NBC, Peacock
• Semifinals Game 2: October 7, 2026 – TBD – Peacock, NBCSN
• Semifinals Game 3: October 9, 2026 – TBD – Peacock, NBCSN
• Semifinals Game 4: October 11, 2026 – TBD – NBC, Peacock
• Semifinals Game 5: October 14, 2026 – TBD – Peacock, NBCSN
• Finals Game 1: October 17, 2026 – 3:30pm ET – NBC, Peacock
• Finals Game 4: October 24, 2026 – 3:30pm ET – NBC, Peacock

WNBA Game Coverage

Peacock offers streams of national WNBA games on NBC, including exclusives. A total of 22 national WNBA games air annually, shared across Peacock and NBC. Select playoff games are also streamed. For a full schedule, check online resources.

On-Air Talent for WNBA

Coverage features various experts, including:

• Sue Bird and Cheryl Miller – Studio Analysts
• Maria Taylor and LaChina Robinson – Studio Hosts
• LaChina Robinson and Sarah Kustok – Game Analysts
• Zora Stephenson, Noah Eagle, Michael Grady – Play-by-Play Voices
• Ashley ShahAhmadi, Jordan Cornette, Caroline Pineda – Courtside Reporters

Peacock Subscription

For all live sports, shows, documentaries, and more, sign up for Peacock. It offers a variety of entertainment, including movies, TV shows, Originals, and news.