WNBA playoffs 2026: Schedule, scores for every game

The 2026 WNBA playoffs are here -- and we're down to four teams. The best-of-five semifinals tip off Sunday. The WNBA Finals' best-of-seven series opens Oct. 17.

The semifinals is a 2-2-1 format, where the better seeds hosts Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, Game 5. The better seed in the WNBA Finals hosts Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5 and 7 in a 2-2-1-1-1 format.

Check out our WNBA scoreboard page for the day-by-day schedule.

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Semifinals

Best-of-five series

(2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (3) Las Vegas Aces

Golden State leads, 1-0

Sunday, Oct. 4
Game 1: Golden State 71, Las Vegas 60

Wednesday, Oct. 7
Game 2: 9:30 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBCSN

Friday, Oct. 9
Game 3: 9:30 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBCSN

Sunday, Oct. 11
Game 4*: TBD, NBC/Peacock

Wednesday, Oct. 14
Game 5*: TBD, Peacock/NBCSN

• Valkyries say Nakase OK after collapsing, not expected to miss time

• How the Valkyries won the franchise's first playoff series

• 'Big shot Gabby' leads Valkyries' charge from 16 down

• Defending champs return to semis: How the Aces ousted the Fever

• Wilson leaves fan drama on 'back burner,' drops 36 points

(4) Atlanta Dream vs. (8) New York Liberty

Atlanta leads, 1-0

Sunday, Oct. 4
Game 1: Dream 92, Liberty 82

Wednesday, Oct. 7
Game 2: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Friday, Oct. 9
Game 3: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Sunday, Oct. 11
Game 4*: TBD, ABC

Wednesday, Oct. 14
Game 5*: TBD, ESPN

• Dream's Reese named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year

• How the Liberty knocked off the 1-seed Lynx

• Dream complete sweep of Mystics

• No matter the seed, Liberty believe they're a title contender

First round

Best-of-three series

(8) New York Liberty defeat (1) Minnesota Lynx 2-0

Game 1: New York 91, Minnesota 75
Game 2: New York 87, Minnesota 71

play

Liberty complete sweep, eliminate 1-seed Lynx

(2) Golden State Valkyries defeat (7) Dallas Wings 2-1

Game 1: Golden State 104, Dallas 80
Game 2: Dallas 108, Golden State 100 OT
Game 3: Golden State 77, Dallas 73

play

Valkyries celebrate first playoff series win in franchise history

(3) Las Vegas Aces defeat (6) Indiana Fever 2-1

Game 1: Las Vegas 102, Indiana 85
Game 2: Indiana 99, Las Vegas 89
Game 3: Las Vegas 94, Indiana 83

play

A'ja Wilson drops 36 points to lead the Aces past the Fever

(4) Atlanta Dream defeat (5) Washington Mystics 2-0

Game 1: Atlanta 92, Washington 77
Game 2: Atlanta 93, Washington 75

play

Dream defeat Mystics to advance to first semifinals since 2018

WNBA Finals

Best-of-seven series

Saturday, Oct. 17
Game 1: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

Monday, Oct. 19
Game 2: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Thursday, Oct. 22
Game 3: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Saturday, Oct. 24
Game 4: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

Monday, Oct. 26
Game 5*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Thursday, Oct. 29
Game 6*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Saturday, Oct. 31
Game 7*: 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

* If necessary