The 2026 WNBA playoff picture is fully set. All eight playoff teams have now clinched. Dallas Wings — led in part by Australia’s Alanna Smith — locked in their playoff spot this week. Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever are tied atop the Eastern Conference at 26-14. Minnesota Lynx continue their dominant run at 31-9. And Portland Fire have been eliminated. For Australian fans, this is now genuinely momentous: three Australians will play in the WNBA playoffs this year — Alanna Smith (Dallas), Georgia Amoore (Washington), Isobel Borlase (Atlanta) — plus Stephanie Talbot (Vegas) and Rebecca Allen (New York) with playoff-bound teams.
The playoff picture is fully set
Western Conference (all 4 clinched)
- Minnesota Lynx — 31-9, dominant, best record in WNBA
- Golden State Valkyries — 29-11, expansion team’s dream season continues
- Las Vegas Aces — 27-13, defending champions
- Dallas Wings — 24-16, clinched this week
Eastern Conference (all 4 clinched)
- Atlanta Dream — 26-14, tied for conference lead
- Indiana Fever — 26-14, tied for conference lead
- New York Liberty — 24-16
- Washington Mystics — 24-16
Dallas Wings clinch — Alanna Smith heads to playoffs
Big news for Australian basketball fans. The Dallas Wings at 24-16 officially clinched their WNBA playoff spot this week. It’s a genuine achievement for a franchise that needed exactly this kind of push to secure the postseason. Alanna Smith — Australia’s highest-paid women’s basketball player on her $1.25 million per season contract — heads into her first playoff run of her Dallas career.
Every Dallas Wings game from here is meaningful. Smith’s postseason performance will be watched closely, both as a validation of her supermax contract and as a genuine test of Dallas’s playoff ceiling.
The complete Aussie playoff contingent
2026 will be a big year for Australians in the WNBA playoffs. Three Australians on separate teams have officially clinched:
- Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings) — 4th seed in the West
- Georgia Amoore (Washington Mystics) — 4th seed in the East
- Isobel Borlase (Atlanta Dream) — tied for 1st in the East
Additionally, Australian veterans Stephanie Talbot (Las Vegas Aces) and Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty) are on playoff-bound teams. That’s five Australian women in the WNBA playoffs — likely the most in league history.
Portland Fire eliminated — Puoch’s expansion year ends
The Portland Fire at 16-24 have been officially eliminated. Australia’s Nyadiew Puoch has had a decent expansion team rookie season for the Fire in their inaugural year, but the team’s playoff hopes are done. Portland now looks to build for 2027 in only their second WNBA season.
Elsewhere, Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne (Seattle Storm) — Seattle at 8-32 remain the WNBA’s worst team, long since eliminated. Their offseason will be about roster overhaul. Sami Whitcomb (Phoenix Mercury) — Phoenix at 14-26 is eliminated.
Atlanta and Indiana tied atop the East
The Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever are tied at 26-14 for the Eastern Conference lead — with Atlanta holding the tiebreaker on head-to-head. Both teams enter September in strong form. Their remaining head-to-head matchups will define the top seed and potentially set up a marquee playoff series later in October.
For Australian fans, this means Isobel Borlase’s Atlanta Dream is now genuinely one of the WNBA’s elite teams. Any Atlanta game is appointment viewing.
This week’s must-watch on Kayo
WNBA continues on Kayo Sports as playoff positioning intensifies:
- Minnesota Lynx — any game — the league’s clear best team
- Atlanta Dream vs Indiana Fever — Eastern Conference top-two duel
- Dallas Wings — any game — Alanna Smith and Dallas heading into first playoff run
For the full weekly schedule with AEST times and confirmed broadcasters, use our live TV Guide.
One email per day at 7:00pm AEST. Tomorrow’s WNBA schedule with confirmed Australian broadcasters, pick of the day, and Australian players featured. Free.
Subscribe free →Storylines to follow into September and playoffs
Aussies in the WNBA playoffs. Alanna Smith, Georgia Amoore and Isobel Borlase all in the postseason means genuine Australian representation on the biggest stage in women’s basketball. Their performance will be closely watched.
Can Minnesota lock in the #1 seed? The Lynx at 31-9 look set to top the West. Their remaining schedule will confirm home-court advantage through the playoffs.
Golden State’s expansion year. The Valkyries as a first-year franchise reaching the second round would be historic. Their playoff run is the storyline to watch.
What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide
- How to Watch WNBA in Australia 2026 — Aussies playing
- Previous WNBA Wrap — 24 August 2026
Standings accurate as of Sunday 30 August 2026 US time. All times AEST. Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans.
