The 2026 WNBA Playoffs opened with a historic stunner, a pair of MVP masterclasses, and a rookie learning the hard truth about postseason basketball.
The No. 8 seed New York Liberty walked into Minneapolis and beat the No. 1 overall seed Minnesota Lynx 91-75, the first major upset of the postseason. Meanwhile, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, the two best players in the world, combined for 72 points in a reminder that the old guard isn’t going anywhere.
Here’s everything that happened on Day 1.
Breanna Stewart Delivers a Playoff Masterclass
Stewart set the tone early and never let up, finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks in the Liberty’s Game 1 win.
She became the fourth player in WNBA playoff history to record a 30-point, 10-rebound, five-assist game. She also now has three 30-point, 10-rebound playoff performances, second only to A’ja Wilson all time.
The Liberty’s 16-point road win was their largest playoff road victory since 2015, and they’re now one win away from becoming the first No. 8 seed to ever knock off a No. 1 seed.
Minnesota’s problems went beyond Stewart. Napheesa Collier, still working her way back from offseason ankle surgery, managed just 12 points on 42.9% shooting. Both Collier and Natasha Howard fouled out.
A’ja Wilson Is Still the MVP
Hours after being named the Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year for an unprecedented third straight season, A’ja Wilson put on a clinic.
She finished with 38 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks on an absurd 15-of-19 shooting, tying her playoff career high in scoring and rebounding. The Aces rolled to a 102-85 win over the Indiana Fever.
Wilson had 22 points by halftime. Fans chanted “M-V-P” at the free throw line. And Chelsea Gray, who passed Courtney Vandersloot for second on the all-time playoff assists list, summed it up perfectly: “It’s a blessing to be able to see this every single day.”
Golden State’s Offensive Explosion
The No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries answered every question about their postseason firepower by scoring a franchise-record 104 points in a 104-80 blowout of the Dallas Wings.
They tied a franchise record with 18 three-pointers, shot 50% from beyond the arc, and put three players over 20 points: Cecilia Zandalasini (22), Tiffany Hayes (21 off the bench), and Gabby Williams (20).
Rookie sensation Paige Bueckers was brilliant in her playoff debut, scoring 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting. But her supporting cast vanished. The other four Wings starters combined for just 23 points on 7-of-26 shooting.
Atlanta’s Third-Quarter Avalanche
The Atlanta Dream trailed the Washington Mystics 41-36 at halftime. Then DeWanna Bonner happened.
The 17-year veteran scored 11 of her 13 points in the third quarter, sparking a 29-point frame that turned a deficit into a 92-77 rout. Angel Reese was ecstatic afterward: “I done told her you need to shoot that ball. Thankfully, she’s showing up and we’re gonna go as she goes.”
What’s Next
The first round is best-of-three. Three favorites are already one win away from advancing. The Lynx, meanwhile, are one loss away from elimination.
Game 2s continue Tuesday and Wednesday. The Liberty can close out Minnesota on Tuesday night in New York. The Aces can sweep the Fever in Indiana. And the Valkyries can finish off Dallas in Game 2 on Wednesday.
The postseason is three days old, and the No. 1 seed is already on the brink. That’s playoff basketball.
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