The opening salvo of the WNBA postseason did not disappoint. Game 1 across the First-Round matchups set an intense baseline for the rest of the series. With early-series momentum on the line, home-court advantages were defended, high-profile road upsets delivered early drama, and championship contenders laid down explicit statements.
An action packed day in the W and we've got your full recap below!
⭐️ The @nyliberty defeated the Lynx on the road
⭐️ The @LVAces overcame the Fever behind A'ja's 38 PTS
⭐️The @AtlantaDream claimed Game 1 against the Mystics
⭐️ The @valkyries got the home dub over the Wings… pic.twitter.com/X2Rdi5KIXS— WNBA (@WNBA) September 28, 2026
Here is a full breakdown of how Game 1 unfolded across the league.
New York Liberty 91, Minnesota Lynx 75
- Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
- Series State: New York leads 1–0
In one of the most compelling matchups on the schedule, the New York Liberty delivered a dominant performance on the road to silence the crowd in Minneapolis. New York controlled the pace from the early going, utilizing crisp ball movement and structured perimeter defense to disrupt Minnesota’s rhythm.
Key Performers & Turning Point
- Execution Breakdown: The Liberty pulled away after half-time, capitalized on transition opportunities, and restricted high-efficiency looks inside.
- Impact: Stealing Game 1 away from home puts immense pressure on Minnesota heading into Game 2.
Las Vegas Aces 102, Indiana Fever 85
- Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena (Las Vegas, NV)
- Series State:Las Vegas leads 1–0
The Storyline
The championship-caliber Las Vegas Aces put on an offensive clinic at home, breaking the 100-point threshold to handle a spirited Indiana Fever squad. Las Vegas used their veteran playoff experience to weather an early perimeter push from Indiana before pulling away in the second half.
Key Performers & Turning Point
- Execution Breakdown: The Aces’ inside-out offensive balance proved too much to contain, generating high-percentage paint points and baseline cuts.
- Impact: Indiana showcased flashes of rapid transition scoring, but costly turnovers prevented them from keeping pace with Las Vegas’ relentless firepower down the stretch.
Atlanta Dream 92, Washington Mystics 77
- Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)
- Series State: Atlanta leads 1–0
The Storyline
After falling behind 41–36 at half-time following a sluggish opening two quarters, the Atlanta Dream exploded in the third quarter to completely upend the Washington Mystics. Atlanta flipped the switch defensively and dominated the second half.
Key Performers & Turning Point
- Rhyne Howard & Allisha Gray: Gray led all scorers with 17 points, while Howard took control in the third period by scoring 12 of her 16 points to anchor the game-altering run. Dewanna Bonner added 11 third-quarter points to solidify the surge.
- Turning Point: Atlanta forced 7 third-quarter turnovers, converting them into 14 quick points while holding Washington to just 20% shooting in the period.
Golden State Valkyries 104, Dallas Wings 80
- Location: Chase Center (San Francisco, CA)
- Series State: Golden State leads 1–0<
The Storyline
Making their mark on the playoff stage at Chase Center, the Golden State Valkyries made quick work of the Dallas Wings in a 24-point blowout. Golden State establish early tempo, crashing the glass aggressively and running the floor at every opportunity.
Key Performers & Turning Point
- Execution Breakdown: Golden State scored effortlessly in transition, building an early double-digit lead that Dallas could never meaningfully chip away at.
- Impact: The Valkyries set a firm defensive blueprint, limiting Dallas’ primary interior options and taking full advantage of home-court momentum.
