![\"WNBA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wnba-trophy.png\")
<\/p>\nWelcome to The Athletic\u2019s 2026 WNBA projections, where you\u2019ll find every team\u2019s odds of earning each playoff seed. Follow along with our bracket forecast, which will update live as games conclude.<\/p>\n
Semifinals<\/p>\n
Winner of 1 vs. 8<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 4 vs. 5<\/p>\n
Winner of 3 vs. 6<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 2 vs. 7<\/p>\n
Final<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 1<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 2<\/p>\n
First round<\/p>\n
Semifinal<\/p>\n
Winner of 1 vs. 8<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 4 vs. 5<\/p>\n
Semifinal<\/p>\n
Winner of 2 vs. 7<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of 3 vs. 6<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Final<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 1<\/p>\n
vs.<\/p>\n
Winner of Semifinal 2<\/p>\n
First round<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re just tuning in, the WNBA playoff field is set: the Lynx, Valkyries, Aces, Fever, Dream, Liberty, Wings and Mystics will be in the playoffs.<\/p>\n
A team\u2019s outlook depends on its current record and our expectations for its performance in remaining games. We use Elo ratings<\/a> to assess team strength \u2014 a rating of 1500 is around league average. The table below shows estimates of possible playoff outcomes for each team.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re a fan of a team outside the eight playoff spots, it\u2019s time to start thinking about your team\u2019s draft pick. Below, you\u2019ll find our estimates for each lottery team earning each pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft. The first two slots are determined by a random draw among the non-playoff teams, with lottery odds determined based on two-year aggregate regular-season win percentage.<\/p>\n Methodology: We estimate each team\u2019s chances by simulating the entire WNBA season 100,000 times and counting how often a team earns each seed, advances to each round of the playoffs and wins the championship.<\/p>\n