Source-checked report · National
New York upset Minnesota as the 2026 WNBA Playoffs begin
The eighth-seeded Liberty beat the top-seeded Lynx 91-75, while Las Vegas, Atlanta and Golden State also took 1-0 series leads.
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs opened with the eighth-seeded New York Liberty defeating the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx 91-75 in Minneapolis. New York's win was the only lower-seed victory across the four opening games.
The Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 102-85, the Atlanta Dream defeated the Washington Mystics 92-77 and the Golden State Valkyries won 104-80 against the Dallas Wings. Each winner moved one victory from advancing in the best-of-three first round.
Game 2 is hosted by the lower-seeded team under the WNBA's 1-1-1 first-round format. The semifinals begin on 4 October and expand to best-of-five series.
Sources
Check the original record.
Open the governing body or organiser’s publication for the underlying result, decision or tournament update.