On Sunday, 4 October 2026, two series tipped off in the WNBA semifinals that immediately set the tone for the entire playoffs. The Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty at home by a score of 92:82 to take a 1-0 lead in the series, while the Golden State Valkyries met the defending champion Las Vegas Aces the same day.
The Liberty, the eighth seed, had already pulled off an upset by knocking out the regular-season leaders, the Minnesota Lynx, in the first round. Now they came up against the Dream, a team that has shown one of the league's best defenses this season. In the third quarter, Atlanta forced their opponents into nine turnovers and scored 16 points off them — a playoff record.
The key figures in the victory were Jordin Canada, who scored 25 points and had five steals, and DeWanna Bonner with 23 points. At the same time, the Dream had to manage without Allisha Gray, who was injured in the first half. The Liberty, led by Sabrina Ionescu (27 points) and Breanna Stewart (19), fought back late but fell short.
The second series — the Valkyries against the Aces — symbolizes a new stage for the league. The Golden State expansion team has already reached the semifinals in its second season, while the Aces, led by A'ja Wilson, are chasing a fourth title in five years. This is not only about tactics but also about psychology: how a young team handles the pressure against an experienced champion.
These games show just how much the WNBA's competitiveness has grown. The eighth seed is already in the semifinals, and a league newcomer is challenging a dynasty. These are not just elimination series — they are a test of strength for established hierarchies and a chance for new stories.
Next, the series will move to other cities, and that is where it will become clear who handles the change of venue and fatigue better.
