The WNBA Playoffs are here!
Before the first-round tips off with intense, best-of-three series, we’re breaking down each matchup and sharing our picks for who will survive and punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Grab a friend and get ready for a full day of playoff action on Sunday with our top WNBA picks for Round 1.
Valkyries vs. Lynx
The Golden State Valkyries and Minnesota Lynx will tip off the WNBA Playoffs on Sunday, with the Valkyries making their postseason debut.
While reaching the playoffs in their inaugural season is a major achievement, Golden State now faces the challenge of opening the series in the tough environment of Target Center.
The Lynx finished the regular season with a league-best 34-10 record and look ready to spoil the Valkyries’ historic run. These two teams just squared off in their final regular season game — a dominant 19-point win for Minnesota — and the trend is unlikely to shift in this series.
Minnesota swept the season series 4-0, with three of those wins coming by double digits. Golden State has made an impressive entrance into the league, but with veteran star Napheesa Collier — who became just the second player in WNBA history to post a 50-40-90 shooting season — leading the way, the Lynx have too much poise and playoff experience.
Expect Minnesota to close out this series in a two-game sweep.
Series Pick: Lynx (-5000 at BetMGM)
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ESPN
Fever vs. Dream
The Indiana Fever enter the playoffs with a roster that looks vastly different from the one they started the season with.
Season-ending injuries to Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, the mid-season exit of DeWanna Bonner, and other setbacks along the way have left Indiana clinging to playoff hopes by a thread.
Much of their survival can be credited to the relentless efforts of Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, who’ve carried the team through the turbulence.
But like Cinderella, when the clock strikes midnight, it feels like the magic may be running out. The Fever now face a hungry and healthy Atlanta Dream squad that’s ready to capitalize.
While the regular season series was evenly split at 2-2, Atlanta has the edge heading into this matchup simply due to health and momentum.
Allisha Gray, fresh off earning her third WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month honor in August, has been outstanding — averaging 19.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 48.5% shooting while leading the Dream to a 9-3 record during that August stretch.
This series should go three games, but expect Gray & Co. to punch their ticket to the next round.
Series Pick: Dream (-450 at BetMGM)
- Game 1 Time: Sunday, September 14 at 3:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ABC
Liberty vs. Mercury
This is where the upset goes down.
As tough as it is to admit, the New York Liberty don’t look destined for a repeat title run this season. Injuries to key players like Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart have disrupted their rhythm, and while they’re expected to be at full strength for the playoffs, the cracks have already been exposed — especially by the Phoenix Mercury.
Unfortunately for New York, Phoenix is its first-round opponent — and a team that’s had its number all season. The Mercury won the regular-season series 3-1, including two lopsided blowout victories that highlighted vulnerabilities across the board for the Liberty.
This series will be gritty and competitive, likely going the full three games, but Phoenix has proven it can outplay New York when it matters.
Expect the Mercury to pull off the upset and send the Liberty home early.
Series Pick: Mercury (+165 at BetMGM)
- Game 1 Time: Sunday, September 14 at 5:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ESPN
Storm vs. Aces
If I were the Seattle Storm, I’d definitely dread facing the Las Vegas Aces.
Seattle barely snuck into the playoffs, edging out the Valkyries and Los Angeles Sparks in a tight battle for the final spots. Now that the Storm are in, they face a daunting challenge — standing in their way is the 6'4" powerhouse center, A’ja Wilson.
Despite a shaky start to the season, Wilson refused to back down and powered the Aces to the No. 2 seed. Las Vegas was 14-14 entering August but then ripped off an incredible 16-game winning streak, going undefeated the rest of the way.
Adding extra intrigue to the matchup, this will be Jewell Loyd’s first playoff appearance against her former team.
With the Aces firing on all cylinders and Wilson delivering an MVP-caliber season, it’s hard to see anything but a swift two-game sweep for Las Vegas.
Series Pick: Aces (-425 at BetMGM)
- Game 1 Time: Sunday, September 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ESPN
Sunday’s WNBA games
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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