2026 WNBA playoffs: Experts pick the first round, WNBA champion — SkimNews
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- Minnesota Lynx drew every expert's first-round vote (8-0) to beat the New York Liberty in a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals.
- The only first-round split came in Las Vegas Aces vs. Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever, where the defending champion Aces drew six of eight expert picks.
- Five experts picked the Golden State Valkyries to sweep the Dallas Wings in two games, a year after the Valkyries were swept in their first postseason appearance.
- Every expert picked the Atlanta Dream, led by Angel Reese in her WNBA postseason debut, to beat the Washington Mystics.
- The 2026 WNBA championship vote split 4-4 between the Aces and Lynx, with every title projection needing six or seven games.
- A'ja Wilson drew four Finals MVP picks, ahead of Lynx guard Olivia Miles (three) and Napheesa Collier (one).
Why it matters: Every expert unanimously picked the 1-seed Lynx past the New York Liberty, yet the title vote still split 4-4 between Aces and Lynx, with every championship pick needing six or seven games. The opening round delivers Angel Reese's postseason debut, Caitlin Clark vs. A'ja Wilson, and a 2024 Finals rematch all tipping off Sunday.
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