The first round of the 2026 WNBA playoffs brought the heat, with top seeds being upset and competitors coming out to play. We already have three of the four semifinal teams set for Sunday’s Second Round, but first, the Valkyries and the Wings need to battle it out on Friday for the final spot.
Let’s recap how Round One unfolded and look at the updated WNBA odds on DraftKings Sportsbook for tonight’s first-round conclusion.
Playoff Recap – First Round
Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty, NY Wins 2-0
New York opened the season as the favorite to win the WNBA Championship and proved every bit of its championship DNA by taking down the No. 1 seed. New York stole Game 1 in Minnesota by a wide margin, holding Minnesota to just 75 points while the Liberty put up 91 on 51% shooting from the field and 52% from deep. New York won the battles in the paint and conceded fewer points off turnovers, humbling the No. 1 Lynx and taking Game 2 home to New York.
In that game, the unanimous Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles felt the pressure of the playoffs, only putting up five points in Game 2 while the Liberty’s Big 3 combined for 60 points on the night. New York played with urgency in this series and a chip on its shoulder, knowing the No. 8 seed didn’t represent the talent of the team, and swept Minnesota in two games. New York also became the first No. 8 seed to knock off a No. 1 seed and will take on Atlanta in the semifinals.
Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever, LV Wins 2-1
No one is denying the fact that this was an entertaining series, but at the end of the day, A’ja Wilson plus talented pieces around her is a recipe for a winning series. Wilson finished Round One averaging 32 PPG and 11.6 RPG, dominating on both sides of the court with six blocks added in. Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray rounded out a dominant Big 3 in Vegas, combining for 41 points in the closeout game.
Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell were the extenders of this series in Game 2. Clark put on a masterful performance, scoring 27 points with 15 assists while Mitchell added 26 points to the score sheet. In Game 3, though, Clark’s efficiency dropped, shooting just 6-of-18 from the field, while the Aces shot 45% from the field and 40% from deep. The Aces will now take on the winner of Golden State/Wings in the Second Round of the playoffs with back-to-back rings on their mind.
Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics, ATL Wins 2-0
The Dream started Game 1 shaky, having to overcome an 11-point deficit to take down the Mystics 92-77. Rhyne Howard proved how she is one of the best two-way players in the league, dropping 26 points with five steals, while Washington committed 22 total turnovers. The Dream turned those turnovers into 27 points, and the game was in their control.
In Game 2, the scoreline looked similar, and Atlanta swept Washington in two games with help from an impressive fourth-quarter performance from Jordin Canada. Allisha Gray added 22 points, while 13 of Canada’s 19 points came in that final chunk of time. Sonia Citron led her team with 25 points in Game 2, but Washington lacked the scoring depth and edge to take down a very well-rounded Dream team. Atlanta moves on to play New York in the semifinals.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Dallas Wings Game 3 Preview
Golden State came out in Game 1 ready to prove defense can win championships. The Valks held Dallas to just 80 points, while generating offense on all parts of the floor, especially from deep, for 104 total points. However, Dallas flipped a switch in Game 2 in an overtime thriller. Arike Ogunbowale made history, scoring the most points in a playoff game in 42 minutes (45). Gabby Williams led her squad in PRA with 36 points, six rebounds, and seven assists while both teams shot very efficiently. The Wings, this time around, dominated from deep, shooting 52% from three, while the rest of the stat sheet looked even on both sides.
Tonight, Dallas needs offensive production from more players than just Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, who only had 10 points in Game 2. The Valkyries will look to go back to their defensive-first identity, with Gabby Williams saying after Game 2 that the performance was not representative of the team. I’m expecting a tougher press from Golden State, with an emphasis on getting stops rather than trading baskets.
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