WNBA: The Playoffs Are Almost Here

By Alexander Davis — September 23, 2026

The WNBA regular season is almost over, and the focus has officially shifted toward the playoffs. All eight playoff teams have been decided, but the final standings are still being determined. The regular season ends September 24, with the playoffs beginning September 27.

The Minnesota Lynx currently sit at the top of the standings with a 32–10 record. Minnesota has been one of the league's strongest teams throughout the season and is trying to secure the No. 1 seed. However, the Lynx recently lost to the Indiana Fever 96–77, meaning their final games will be important for determining their playoff position.

The Indiana Fever have also been making headlines. Caitlin Clark scored 27 points and added nine assists in the victory over Minnesota, helping Indiana improve its playoff positioning. The Fever are one of eight teams that have officially qualified for the postseason.

Another team gaining attention is the Las Vegas Aces. A'ja Wilson recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Aces defeated the Los Angeles Sparks 89–79. The win gave Las Vegas at least the No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round. The Aces are also riding a six-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.

The Atlanta Dream are another team making a late push. Atlanta defeated the New York Liberty 95–84 and improved to 29–14. The loss was significant for New York because the Liberty can no longer finish higher than fifth. The Dream, meanwhile, are still competing for a spot in the top four.

The Washington Mystics have also made franchise history. Washington defeated the Connecticut Sun 79–69 for its 27th win of the season, setting a new franchise record for wins in a season. The Mystics are currently in the playoff field and will look to carry their momentum into the postseason.

The WNBA playoffs will begin on September 27. The first round will use a best-of-three format, followed by best-of-five semifinals and a best-of-seven WNBA Finals.

With only a few regular-season games remaining, every result matters for playoff seeding. The top teams are fighting for home-court advantage while the teams in the middle of the standings are trying to secure the most favorable matchups possible. The next few days should set the stage for what could be a competitive WNBA postseason.