WNBA Playoffs 2026: Latest Results, Schedule and How to Watch with Sling TV
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs are underway. Here’s where the postseason stands, what’s coming next and how to watch with Sling.
Well, so much for the No. 1 seed. The 2026 WNBA Playoffs are underway, and the biggest shock of the postseason has already arrived: the No. 8 New York Liberty swept the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed under the WNBA’s current first-round format.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-a_aolbbWE
New York and Atlanta have punched their tickets to the semifinals, while Indiana-Las Vegas and Dallas-Golden State are headed to winner-take-all Game 3s. From there, it’s best-of-five semifinals followed by a best-of-seven WNBA Finals.
So, who’s still alive and what’s coming next? Here’s where the 2026 WNBA Playoffs stand and how to watch WNBA postseason basketball with Sling. For the most complete coverage, subscribe to Sling Orange & Blue , with USA Network, ESPN and, in designated markets, NBC and/or ABC.
How to Watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs with Sling
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs will be split between the following channels:
- USA Network (Available with Sling Blue)
- NBC (Available with Sling Blue or Select in designated markets)
- ABC (Available with Sling Blue or Select in designated markets)
- ESPN/ESPN2 (Available with Sling Orange or Essentials)
- Amazon Prime Video (Requires a separate subscription)
The following markets include NBC with all Sling Blue or Select monthly subscriptions:
- Boston*
- Chicago*
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Hartford-New Haven
- Los Angeles*
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale
- New York City*
- Philadelphia*
- San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose*
- Washington D.C.
*Also includes local ABC affiliate
To watch the 2026 WNBA Playoffs on USA Network, ESPN, and NBC/ABC in designated markets, subscribe to Sling Orange & Blue.
2026 WNBA Playoffs: First Round Results
No. 8 New York Liberty defeats No. 1 Minnesota Lynx, 2-0
Game 1: Liberty 91, Lynx 75
Game 2: Liberty 87, Lynx 71
New York pulled off the stunner, sweeping top-seeded Minnesota to become the first No. 8 seed in WNBA history to eliminate a No. 1 seed. The Liberty advance to face Atlanta in the semifinals.
No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 7 Dallas Wings, tied 1-1
Game 1: Valkyries 104, Wings 80
Game 2: Wings 108, Valkyries 100
Game 3: Valkyries 77, Wings 73
Dallas answered a 24-point Game 1 loss with a wild overtime win Wednesday night, powered by Arike Ogunbowale’s WNBA playoff-record 45 points. Ogunbowale also buried the game-tying three with 4.1 seconds left in regulation, helping send the series back to Golden State for a winner-take-all Game 3.
No. 3 Las Vegas Aces vs. No. 6 Indiana Fever, tied 1-1
Game 1: Aces 102, Fever 85
Game 2: Fever 99, Aces 89
Game 3: Aces 94, Fever 83
Indiana bounced back from a 17-point Game 1 loss with a 99-89 win at home, setting up a winner-take-all Game 3 in Vegas.
No. 4 Atlanta Dream defeats No. 5 Washington Mystics, 2-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnqtgplq7mk
Game 1: Dream 92, Mystics 77
Game 2: Dream 93, Mystics 75
Atlanta made quick work of Washington to reach the WNBA semifinals for the first time since 2018. The Dream will host New York in Game 1 on Sunday.
2026 WNBA Semifinals: Matchups and Previews
No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 8 New York Liberty
The Dream and the Liberty are locked in for one semifinal. New York just pulled off the historic 8-over-1 upset, while Atlanta swept Washington. Game 1 is Sunday, Oct. 4 in Atlanta. Interestingly, Atlanta won two of three against New York during the regular season, including both September meetings
No. 4 Atlanta Dream vs. No. 8 New York Liberty
Game 1: Dream, 92, Liberty 82
Game 2: Liberty 98, Dream 101 (OT)
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 9 — Dream at Liberty — 7:30 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 4: Sunday, Oct. 11 — Dream at Liberty* — TBD, ABC
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Liberty at Dream* — TBD, ESPN
*If necessary
No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 3 Las Vegas Aces
The Valkyries got their first-ever playoff series win against fellow up-and-comers Dallas. As a reward, they’ll face the most experienced team in the remaining field, the Las Vegas Aces and reigning MVP A’ja Wilson.
No. 2 Golden State Valkyries vs. No. 3 Las Vegas Aces
Game 1: Valkyries 71, Aces 60
Game 2: Aces 81, Valkyries 83
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 9 — Valkyries at Aces — 9:30 PM ET, Peacock (Not available with Sling)
Game 4: Sunday, Oct. 11 — Valkyries at Aces* — TBD, NBC
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Aces at Valkyries* — TBD, Peacock (Not available with Sling)
*If necessary.
The Road to the WNBA Finals
Eight teams entered the postseason. Now the field is shrinking fast.
Atlanta and New York have already punched their tickets to the semifinals, while Las Vegas, Indiana, Golden State and Dallas are still fighting for the final two spots. From there, the remaining four teams will battle through best-of-five semifinals for a place in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals.
The No. 1 seed is already out. Two winner-take-all games remain. October should be fun.
WNBA Playoff Schedule on Sling
To watch the most games, subscribe to Sling Orange & Blue with ESPN, USA Network, and, in designated markets, NBC and/or ABC!
2026 WNBA Playoffs FAQ
Who is still in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs?
The New York Liberty and Atlanta Dream have advanced to the semifinals. Las Vegas and Indiana meet in a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday, while Golden State and Dallas play their deciding Game 3 on Friday.
Who will the New York Liberty play in the WNBA semifinals?
The No. 8 New York Liberty will face the No. 4 Atlanta Dream after New York upset top-seeded Minnesota and Atlanta swept Washington.
When do the WNBA semifinals start?
The 2026 WNBA semifinals begin Sunday, October 4. The semifinals are best-of-five series.
When do the 2026 WNBA Finals start?
The WNBA Finals begin Saturday, October 17. The championship round is best-of-seven, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Saturday, October 31.