WNBA 2026 Championship Forecast: Expert Picks Revealed

The 2026 WNBA playoffs are set to begin, with all four first-round series tipping off, prompting WNBA analysts to share their predictions for the best matchups of the postseason. Experts weighed in on which teams will advance through the best-of-three first-round series, who will meet in the WNBA Finals, and ultimately, who will win the championship and earn the coveted Finals MVP title.

In the highly anticipated first-round series, the (1) Minnesota Lynx, featuring Napheesa Collier and Olivia Miles, are heavily favored to defeat the (8) New York Liberty in a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals. A majority of analysts, including Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland, Myron Medcalf, Neil Paine, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel, picked the Lynx to win in 3 games, while Eric Moody and Andre Snellings foresee a Lynx victory in 2 games.

The (2) Golden State Valkyries are projected to overcome the (7) Dallas Wings. The Valkyries, eager to secure their first postseason game win after being swept last year, received strong support from experts. Kendra Andrews, Eric Moody, Neil Paine, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel predict the Valkyries in 2 games, with Kareem Copeland, Myron Medcalf, and Andre Snellings picking them to win in 3 games.

A more divided opinion emerged for the series between the (3) Las Vegas Aces and the (6) Indiana Fever. While the defending champion Aces, led by A'ja Wilson, were favored by most (Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland, Eric Moody, Alexa Philippou, Andre Snellings, Michael Voepel all picking Aces in 3), Myron Medcalf and Neil Paine believe Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever could pull off an upset, predicting the Fever in 3 games.

Lastly, the (4) Atlanta Dream, with Angel Reese making her first postseason appearance, are widely expected to defeat the (5) Washington Mystics. Andrews, Moody, Paine, and Snellings anticipate a Dream victory in 2 games, while Copeland, Medcalf, Philippou, and Voepel see the Dream winning in 3 games.

Looking ahead to the WNBA Finals, a variety of matchups were predicted. Common themes included the Minnesota Lynx making a strong run, with predictions like Lynx vs. Aces (Copeland, Moody, Philippou, Voepel), Lynx vs. Fever (Medcalf), and Lynx vs. Valkyries (Paine). The Las Vegas Aces also featured prominently, with some analysts predicting an Aces vs. Dream final (Andrews, Snellings).

When it comes to the championship winner, the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces emerged as the top contenders. Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland, Andre Snellings, and Michael Voepel all picked the Las Vegas Aces to win the championship, with Andrews and Copeland predicting a 7-game series, and Voepel an Aces win in 6. Conversely, Myron Medcalf, Eric Moody, Neil Paine, and Alexa Philippou believe the Minnesota Lynx will clinch the title, with Medcalf, Moody, and Philippou forecasting a 7-game series, and Paine picking the Lynx in 6.

Finally, for the Finals MVP, A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces was selected by four analysts (Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland, Andre Snellings, Michael Voepel). The remaining four analysts chose Minnesota Lynx players: Olivia Miles was picked by Myron Medcalf, Eric Moody, and Alexa Philippou, while Neil Paine selected Napheesa Collier.