The No. 7 Dallas Wings and No. 2 Golden State Valkyries kick off their 2026 WNBA Playoffs Round 1 series tonight, Sunday, September 27, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Here’s how to watch Paige Bueckers WNBA postseason debut for free.
Wings vs. Valkyrie Game 1 airs live on USA Network, and can be streamed with a free trial of DIRECTV.
The Golden State Valkyries swept the regular-season series 3-0 and enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed after a remarkable second season. Their success has been built on elite defense, as Golden State finished among the league leaders in points allowed and defensive rating while also becoming one of the WNBA’s best three-point shooting teams.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: WNBA Playoffs, Round 1
Who: No. 7 Dallas Wings vs. No. 2 Golden State Valkyries
When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
TV: USA Network
Live stream: DIRECTV (free trial), Sling, Hulu + Live TV
DIRECTV
Stream your favorite sports, and enjoy your first five days completely free, including ESPN Unlimited. Plus, take $30 off your first month when you sign up today. Upgrade to Premier for more channels and streaming options.
Sign up for DIRECTV to watch WNBA Playoffs games for free. DIRECTV Entertainment includes USA Network, and lets you watch live national live sports, breaking news, and must-see shows the moment they air. Includes unlimited cloud DVR storage space so you can record as many shows and games as you want and stream on the go. DIRECTV Choice ($89.99/month) starts with a 5-day free trial, then $30 off your first month.
Hulu + Live TV also offers a free trial, but it is only three days. This game is also available on Sling, but no free trial is available.
Why you should watch Dream vs. Valkyries tonightPaige Bueckers takes center stage
This series also marks the playoff debut of Paige Bueckers, who helped guide Dallas back to the postseason for the first time since 2023. Bueckers finished among the league’s top scorers and playmakers this season and has been one of the driving forces behind a Wings offense that has been red-hot lately. Dallas averaged more than 90 points per game over its last 10 contests while shooting nearly 48% from the field, showing it has the firepower to challenge any opponent.
Strength vs. strength
The biggest storyline may be Dallas’ high-powered offense against Golden State’s stingy defense. The Wings rank among the West’s best shooting teams, led by Bueckers and double-double machine Jessica Shepard, while the Valkyries counter with balanced production from Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes, and a defense that rarely gives easy looks. With both teams entering the playoffs on 7-3 runs over their last 10 games, Game 1 has all the ingredients of a competitive opener despite Golden State’s regular-season dominance.