WNBA Playoffs: Liberty Make History, Fever Force Game 3 as Elimination Games Loom
September 30, 2026
The 2026 WNBA Playoffs delivered history, star performances and postseason drama Tuesday night as the New York Liberty completed one of the league's most significant first-round upsets while the Indiana Fever kept their championship hopes alive.
Now the pressure shifts to Washington and Dallas, where two more teams will face elimination Wednesday night.
Caitlin Clark Powers Fever Past Aces to Force Game 3
The Indiana Fever refused to let their season end at home.
Indiana defeated the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 99-89 Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, evening their best-of-three first-round series at 1-1 and forcing a decisive Game 3 in Las Vegas.
Caitlin Clark delivered one of the biggest playoff performances of her career, finishing with 27 points and 15 assists. She became the first player in WNBA history to record a points-assists double-double in the first half of a playoff game, entering halftime with 14 points and 11 assists.
Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points, while Clark, Mitchell and Aliyah Boston combined for 75 of Indiana's 99 points. Indiana also dominated inside, holding a 58-26 advantage in points in the paint.
Las Vegas received a major performance from Jackie Young, who scored 31 points, while A'ja Wilson finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. The Aces made a late push after trailing by double digits, but Indiana held on to extend the series.
That sets up a postseason heavyweight fight Thursday night.
Indiana Fever at Las Vegas Aces — Game 3
Thursday, October 1
8:00 p.m. Central / 9:00 p.m. Eastern
Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas
TV: USA Network
The winner advances to the WNBA semifinals.
New York Liberty Shock Minnesota and Make WNBA History
While Indiana extended its series, New York ended one.
The No. 8-seeded Liberty defeated the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx 87-71, completing a 2-0 sweep and becoming the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the WNBA's 30-year history.
Jonquel Jones controlled the interior with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Breanna Stewart added 21 points and Sabrina Ionescu scored 18.
New York entered the playoffs as the eighth seed after an uneven regular season, but the Liberty looked like anything but an underdog against Minnesota.
They opened the series by defeating the Lynx 91-75 in Minneapolis and followed that performance by controlling Game 2 in Brooklyn. New York led 49-37 at halftime Tuesday and never allowed Minnesota to seriously regain control in the second half.
The Liberty now advance to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Atlanta Dream-Washington Mystics series.
Atlanta Can Close Out Washington Tonight
The next elimination opportunity belongs to the Atlanta Dream.
Atlanta visits the Washington Mystics Wednesday night holding a 1-0 advantage following a 92-77 Game 1 victory.
Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 26 points in the opener, while Allisha Gray scored 22. Angel Reese recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Jordin Canada added 10 points and 11 assists.
Washington now returns home needing a victory to keep its season alive.
Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics — Game 2
Wednesday, September 30
6:00 p.m. Central / 7:00 p.m. Eastern
CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN
If Washington wins, a deciding Game 3 would be played Friday in Atlanta. If Atlanta wins, the Dream advance to face New York in the semifinals.
Golden State Looks to Finish Off Dallas
The Golden State Valkyries can also punch their semifinal ticket Wednesday.
Golden State leads the Dallas Wings 1-0 after a commanding 104-80 victory in Game 1.
The Valkyries broke the game open with a stunning 37-11 second quarter and connected on 18 three-pointers. Cecilia Zandalasini led Golden State with 22 points, while Tiffany Hayes contributed 21.
Dallas received 21 points from rookie Paige Bueckers in her WNBA postseason debut. The Wings now return to College Park Center, where they went 16-6 during the regular season, needing a victory to force Game 3.
Golden State Valkyries at Dallas Wings — Game 2
Wednesday, September 30
8:00 p.m. Central / 9:00 p.m. Eastern
College Park Center, Arlington, Texas
TV: ESPN
If Dallas wins, the series returns to San Francisco for a deciding Game 3 on Friday, October 2.
The WNBA Playoff Picture Is Moving Fast
New York is already through.
Atlanta and Golden State have opportunities to join the Liberty in the semifinals Wednesday night, while Indiana and Las Vegas are guaranteed one more game Thursday.
The semifinal round begins Sunday, October 4, using a best-of-five format. The WNBA Finals begin October 17 and expand to a best-of-seven series.
The first round has already delivered something few expected: the league's top seed is gone.
And with elimination basketball continuing over the next two nights, the bracket could look dramatically different again before the weekend.
Sources
- WNBA — Official 2026 Playoffs bracket and schedule: https://www.wnba.com/playoffs/2026
- Associated Press — Liberty sweep Lynx and become first No. 8 seed to eliminate No. 1: https://apnews.com/article/liberty-playoffs-6df4ad76fee5f2216284bc9170aa9b15
- WNBA — Liberty vs. Lynx Game 2 recap: https://www.wnba.com/news/2026-playoffs-lynx-liberty-game-2-recap
- ABC News / Associated Press — Fever defeat Aces 99-89: https://abcnews.com/Sports/wireStory/caitlin-clark-kelsey-mitchell-post-big-games-fever-136876558
- Indiana Fever — Game 2 recap and Game 3 information: https://fever.wnba.com/news/game-recap-indiana-fever-force-game-three-against-las-vegas-aces
- WNBA — Fever vs. Aces Game 3: https://www.wnba.com/game/ind-vs-lva-1042600123
- Atlanta Dream — Game 1 victory over Washington: https://dream.wnba.com/news/dream-takes-game-1-of-wnba-playoffs-with-home-win-against-washington
- WNBA — Dream vs. Mystics Game 2: https://www.wnba.com/game/atl-vs-was-1042600132
- Dallas Wings — Game 2 preview vs. Golden State: https://wings.wnba.com/news/wings-host-valkyries-in-must-win-game-2-wednesday-night
- Golden State Valkyries — Game 1 playoff recap: https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/gameday-recap-20260927
- WNBA — Valkyries vs. Wings Game 2: https://www.wnba.com/game/gsv-vs-dal-1042600112