EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2026 WNBA regular season wraps up Sept. 24, but teams are already clinching spots in the postseason.Here's a look at the teams that have clinched playoff berths. We'll add seeds as they are determined.Golden State ValkyriesHow they got here: A year ago, Golden State became the first WNBA expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its first season. Now the Valkyries are going for a second straight year. With Monday's home win over Dallas, Golden State became the third team in 2026 to secure a postseason berth. Defense and depth continue to lead the way, as the Valkyries -- who clinched with 10 regular-season games remaining and a 25-9 record -- give up the fewest points per game in the WNBA. Gabby Williams (14.6 PPG, 1.6 SPG), who joined Golden State as a free agent in the offseason, is one of the most impactful players on a new team this season. Fellow forward Janelle Salaun, the Sixth Player of the Year front-runner, ranks second on the team with 13.1 points despite coming off the bench. Guard Veronica Burton (12.3 PPG) rounds out the double-digit scorers.Key stat: The Valkyries are 19-4 since June 9 after starting the season 6-5. Golden State has won six consecutive games -- the longest current win streak in the league. (Stats through games as of Aug. 17.)Las Vegas AcesHow they got here: The Aces became the second team to clinch a postseason berth, beating the Mystics on Aug. 13 to move to 24-11 with nine regular-season games remaining on their schedule. Last season, Las Vegas needed a second-half surge to turn around its season, ultimately winning the program's third WNBA championship. A'ja Wilson remains the engine -- averaging a league-best 26.1 points as well as 9.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals, and shooting 52.3% -- but the Aces still have one of the league's best big three. Jackie Young (18.4 PPG, 6.7 APG) and Chelsea Gray (12.3 PPG, 7.1 APG) help anchor the backcourt along with Jewell Loyd (8.1 PPG), who continues to come off the bench this season. Forward NaLyssa Smith (12.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG) rounds out the double-digit scorers.Key stat: Wilson has scored in double digits in every game this season (she has been held to 15 or fewer points in two games). Last season, she became the first player in WNBA history to win four regular-season MVP awards (she was also WNBA Finals MVP for the second time in her career). This season, she has made 33 3-pointers, setting a new single-season high (she had 31 in 2022). (Stats through games as of Aug. 16.)Minnesota LynxHow they got here: The Lynx became the first team to clinch a spot in the postseason with a victory over the Wings on Aug. 9 that left Minnesota at 27-7 with 11 games to go in the regular season. Preseason expectations were tempered, as Napheesa Collier was still working her way back to the court after offseason surgery on both ankles and some key players were lost in free agency, but Minnesota has been at the top of the standings most of the summer. The Lynx won eight consecutive games over a three-week stretch in May and June and then 10 straight from July 8 through Aug. 2.Point guard Olivia Miles (19.9 PPG, 6.1 APG), the No. 2 draft pick in April, adjusted immediately to the pro game and has been one of the top players in the league, putting in one of the most impressive rookie seasons in WNBA history. Guard Kayla McBride (18.2 PPG, 42.3% 3-point shooting) has also had highlight-reel moments, including a career-high 43 points and WNBA single-game record 10 3-pointers in that Aug. 9 win. Forward Natasha Howard anchored the frontcourt in Collier's absence and is averaging 15.1 points and 7.8 rebounds and shooting 58.7% from the field. And guard Courtney Williams (14.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.2 APG), who like Howard has started every game this season, remains ever-steady.Key stat: Twenty-seven. Collier made her season debut on July 22. By then, the Lynx were 21-6 and had played 61% of their regular-season games and established Minnesota as the league leader without the perennial MVP candidate. The Lynx are 8-1 since Collier returned. She had 24 points and 10 boards in her first game back and is averaging 19.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 steals. (Stats through games as of Aug. 16.)
