WNBA playoff teams set; seeding battles continue as season resumes
7 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 24, 2026, 12:12 PM
Last updated Sep 24, 2026
The WNBA resumes its season on Thursday with all eight playoff teams confirmed. Minnesota Lynx (31-9) tops the standings but faces competition from Golden State Valkyries (29-11) and Las Vegas Aces (27-13). The final week of the regular season features tight races for seeding, particularly for home-court advantage. Atlanta Dream (26-14) and Indiana Fever (26-14) are neck-and-neck, while New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, and Dallas Wings are locked in a three-way tie at 24-16. The completion of the regular season will determine matchups ahead of the playoffs, with four games remaining for each team.
- •Minnesota leads the standings; Golden State and Las Vegas trail.
- •Atlanta and Indiana battle for the fourth seed and home-court advantage.
- •New York, Washington, and Dallas are tied for sixth place.
- •Teams have four games left to finalize playoff seeding.
- •Next games include matchups between Atlanta and New York on Sept. 21 and 23.
- 12:38 PMESPN — Breaking down the WNBA playoff picture: How final seeds will be set Thursday
- 3:39 AMYahoo Sports — The WNBA playoff picture sharpens as half the postseason positions are set
- 4:52 PMYahoo Sports — Final week of WNBA regular season has playoff picture still muddled
- 10:31 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA playoff picture: 8 teams, 3 games left and a postseason bracket still up for grabs
- 2:59 PMCBS Sports — WNBA season resumes: Playoff matchups, homecourt advantage, lottery implications at stake in final week
- 1:49 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA standings update: Playoff picture, remaining schedules and key games as 2026 season resumes
"After Friday’s WNBA action, every team except Portland has three regular-season games remaining. And yet, no playoff seeds have been clinched for the 2026 postseason. Here is where each team can finish in the playoff bracket. Minnesota Lynx Remaining games: at Connecticut, at Indiana, vs. Indiana The Lynx’s magic number to clinch the No. 1 seed is two, meaning they need two Minnesota wins and Golden State losses combined. It’s unrealistic to count on the Valkyries losing; they finish the season
"The WNBA playoff picture is sharpening as the regular season enters its final day. The Minnesota Lynx have clinched the top seed and will face eighth-seeded New York in the opening round that begins Sunday. The Atlanta Dream will be the four seed after beating New York on Wednesday night.
"With the WNBA entering the final week of the regular season, the playoff seedings are undecided. Minnesota and Golden State are still vying for the top overall seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Las Vegas is in the driver's seat for the No. 3 seed.
Sources
External links- ESPNSep 24, 2026, 12:38 PMBreaking down the WNBA playoff picture: How final seeds will be set Thursday
Before the playoffs open Sunday, the final four seeds will be set in Thursday's regular-season finales.
- Yahoo SportsSep 24, 2026, 3:39 AMThe WNBA playoff picture sharpens as half the postseason positions are set
The WNBA playoff picture is sharpening as the regular season enters its final day. The Minnesota Lynx have clinched the top seed and will face eighth-seeded New York in the opening round that begins Sunday. The Atlanta Dream will be the four seed after beating New York on Wednesday night.
- Yahoo SportsSep 21, 2026, 4:52 PMFinal week of WNBA regular season has playoff picture still muddled
With the WNBA entering the final week of the regular season, the playoff seedings are undecided. Minnesota and Golden State are still vying for the top overall seed and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. Las Vegas is in the driver's seat for the No. 3 seed.
- Yahoo SportsSep 19, 2026, 10:31 AMWNBA playoff picture: 8 teams, 3 games left and a postseason bracket still up for grabs
After Friday’s WNBA action, every team except Portland has three regular-season games remaining. And yet, no playoff seeds have been clinched for the 2026 postseason. Here is where each team can finish in the playoff bracket. Minnesota Lynx Remaining games: at Connecticut, at Indiana, vs. Indiana The Lynx’s magic number to clinch the No. 1 seed is two, meaning they need two Minnesota wins and Golden State losses combined. It’s unrealistic to count on the Valkyries losing; they finish the season
- CBS SportsSep 16, 2026, 2:59 PMWNBA season resumes: Playoff matchups, homecourt advantage, lottery implications at stake in final week
While the Lynx try to hold off the Valkyries for the No. 1 seed, the other six playoff teams are within three games of each other in the standings
- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 1:49 AMWNBA standings update: Playoff picture, remaining schedules and key games as 2026 season resumes
The WNBA returns Thursday with all eight playoff teams confirmed but every seed still unsettled. Here is the complete standings update, remaining schedule and postseason picture.
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