Overview
- The eight-team bracket is finalized and first-round Game 1s begin Sunday, Sept. 27, with Minnesota (No. 1) vs. New York (No. 8), Golden State (No. 2) vs. Dallas (No. 7), Las Vegas (No. 3) vs. Indiana (No. 6), and Atlanta (No. 4) vs. Washington (No. 5).
- Betting markets list Minnesota as the favorite to win the title and give strong chances to Las Vegas and Golden State because of Minnesota’s balance, the Aces’ championship pedigree and the Valkyries’ elite defense.
- Golden State finished 32-12 and led the league in defense with a historically low points-allowed mark, a trait that could flip short series in its favor against higher-scoring opponents.
- Late-season availability and season-ending injuries — including Azzi Fudd and NaLyssa Smith out for the year and monitored questions about Aliyah Boston and Ty Harris — are now primary determinants in best-of-three matchups.
- National broadcasts will carry a Game 1 quadruple‑header and the short series format magnifies the impact of single-game swings, making matchup edges, rotations and last-minute health updates key to who advances.