The 2026 postseason opens with all four first-round series tipping off Game 1 on the same day. The format is best-of-three (1-1-1), with the higher seed hosting Games 1 and 3, if necessary. The league confirmed the full schedule Friday: Liberty at Lynx opens at 2:00 PM ET on ABC, Fever at Aces follows at 4:00 PM ET on ABC, Mystics at Dream airs at 7:00 PM ET on Prime Video, and Wings at Valkyries closes the day at 9:00 PM ET on USA Network. The matchups: No. 5 Mystics at No. 4 Dream, No. 6 Fever at No. 3 Aces, No. 8 Liberty at No. 1 Lynx, and No. 7 Wings at No. 2 Valkyries.

Washington Mystics @ Atlanta Dream | Game 1 | Sunday, September 27 | 7:00 PM ET | Prime Video

Atlanta locked up the No. 4 seed weeks ago and enters the postseason as the league's hottest team, with Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard leading a Dream squad that's won nine of its last 10. Washington claimed the No. 5 seed on the final night of the season, clinching the tiebreaker over Indiana by virtue of its 2-1 season series win.

Washington is 28-16 with Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron both fresh off Team USA gold, giving the Mystics real frontcourt punch against an Atlanta team that's been nearly unbeatable of late.

The line sits at Atlanta -7.5, with the total at 164.5. A home team playing its best basketball of the season against a Mystics group still finding its footing points to a competitive, low-scoring Game 1. Lean Atlanta -7.5, and lean the under.

Washington wins if Iriafen and Citron's playoff experience from this summer translates immediately and the Mystics steal home-court advantage in Game 1.

Atlanta wins if Reese and Howard carry the momentum from the regular season's stretch run straight into the postseason.

Indiana Fever @ Las Vegas Aces | Game 1 | Sunday, September 27 | 4:00 PM ET | ABC

Las Vegas is 31-13 and enters as the defending champion, with A'ja Wilson putting up an MVP-caliber season and the Aces looking every bit like a team capable of repeating. Indiana closed the regular season on a sour note, blown out by Minnesota in the finale once its seeding was already settled.

Indiana is 28-16 and brings a real card to play: the Fever won the regular-season series against Las Vegas 2-1, giving Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell's high-powered offense a track record of success against this specific opponent.

The line sits at Las Vegas -3.5, with the total at 182.5, the highest of the day. Two explosive offenses and a season series that's gone Indiana's way suggests this stays competitive rather than a coronation for the champs. Lean Indiana +3.5, and lean the over.

Las Vegas wins if Wilson's two-way dominance and playoff pedigree take over in a series opener at home.

Indiana wins if Clark and Mitchell's offense does what it did twice already this season and the Fever steal Game 1 on the road.

New York Liberty @ Minnesota Lynx | Game 1 | Sunday, September 27 | 2:00 PM ET | ABC

This is a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, which New York won in five games. Minnesota enters at 33-11 and the No. 1 overall seed, but the Lynx limped to the finish, losing four of five before a blowout win over Indiana in a season finale with nothing at stake for the opponent.

New York is 26-18 and clinched the No. 8 seed on the regular season's final night, but the Liberty won the season series against Minnesota 2-1, including a 93-81 road win at Target Center just over a week ago. Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu have had this team's number lately.

The line sits at Minnesota -6.5, with the total at 173.5. A shaky Lynx finish against a Liberty team that's already beaten them twice this season, with a Finals rematch storyline attached, points to a tighter Game 1 than the number suggests. Lean New York +6.5, and lean the under.

New York wins if Stewart and Ionescu continue the recent run of success against Minnesota and steal home-court advantage.

Minnesota wins if Napheesa Collier and the league's best record translate into a statement Game 1 win at Target Center.

Dallas Wings @ Golden State Valkyries | Game 1 | Sunday, September 27 | 9:00 PM ET | USA Network

Golden State is 31-12 and clinched the No. 2 seed on the final night of the season, riding the league's stingiest defense through the stretch run. This is the Valkyries' second postseason appearance in franchise history.

Dallas is 27-17 and back in the playoffs for the first time since 2023, powered by Paige Bueckers' Rookie of the Year-caliber season. It's a feel-good story for the Wings, but they're drawing a tough first-round test.

The line sits at Golden State -7.5, with the total at 154.5, the lowest of the day. The Valkyries' defense has been the best in the league for weeks, and a Wings team making its return to the postseason after a three-year absence draws a tough assignment right out of the gate. Lean Golden State -7.5, and lean the under.

Dallas wins if Bueckers plays like the star she's been all season and the Wings' first playoff trip since 2023 starts with a road statement.

Golden State wins if the league's best defense sets the tone in Game 1 and the Valkyries protect home court.

Two series carry real revenge-tour energy: Liberty-Lynx is a straight rematch of the 2024 Finals, and Fever-Aces pits a team that already won the season series against the defending champs. Keep an eye on how Washington's newly minted gold medalists and Dallas's Rookie of the Year candidate handle their first taste of playoff basketball. Four Game 1s open the 2026 postseason today, with Game 2 following Tuesday and Wednesday.