WNBA 2026 Playoffs: Teams, Scenarios, and Viewing Information

2026 WNBA Playoffs Teams and Scenarios

With just four days remaining in the WNBA 2026 regular season, teams are eagerly securing their playoff spots. The regular season concludes on Thursday, Sept. 24, and the first round of playoffs commences on Sunday, Sept. 27.

Teams in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs

• 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)

These teams have secured playoff spots but are still competing for better seeding. The Minnesota Lynx are vying for the top position and need either a win or a Valkyries loss. They hold a tiebreaker advantage over Golden State by winning their season series 3-1. They will face the Indiana Fever on both Tuesday and Thursday.

The Golden State Valkyries have upcoming games against the Portland Fire on Tuesday and the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday. Currently, only the Lynx and Valkyries have clinched home court advantage in the first round. The Aces can secure their home court advantage if the Dream loses. The Dream needs either to win their remaining games or benefit from a Fever loss to clinch home court advantage. However, they cannot achieve this in their match against the Liberty tonight.

WNBA Playoffs Seeding and Tiebreakers

The guidelines for determining playoff seeding and resolving tiebreakers include:

1. Best head-to-head record
2. Better winning percentage against teams with a .500 or better record
3. Better head-to-head point differential
4. Better overall point differential against all opponents

In the event of a tie involving three or more teams, the process aims to eliminate as many teams as possible at each step. Once certain teams are separated or eliminated, the process restarts for the remaining tied teams.

Viewing WNBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock

NBC and Peacock will broadcast several games during the Semifinals and Finals series. Peacock will also simulstream USA’s network coverage produced by Versant’s USA Sports for specific Finals games.

Game Schedule

• Semifinals Game 1: 10/4/26, TBD, NBC, Peacock
• Semifinals Game 2: 10/7/26, TBD, Peacock, NBCSN
• Semifinals Game 3: 10/9/26, TBD, Peacock, NBCSN
• Semifinals Game 4: 10/11/26, TBD, NBC, Peacock
• Semifinals Game 5: 10/14/26, TBD, Peacock, NBCSN
• Finals Game 1: 10/17/26, 3:30pm ET, NBC, Peacock
• Finals Game 4: 10/24/26, 3:30pm ET, NBC, Peacock

Peacock’s streaming platform offers 22 national WNBA games each season, shared across NBC. It will also show select playoff games.

On-Air Talent for WNBA Coverage

The following talent will be featured during broadcasts:

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

How to Sign Up for Peacock

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