With the 2026 WNBA regular season concluding on September 24, the teams are all geared up to bring out their best play.

But amidst the win-loss columns, who are those 8 teams that have one foot steadily in the playoff berth already?

Let's take a look!

Minnesota Lynx

Sitting at the top with a 28-7 current record, the Lynx are expected to clinch the Western Conference Division title as well.

Cheryl Reeve's four-time COTY pedigree has built a roster anchored by Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard, Courtney Williams, etc.

They have earned the title 4 times. A 5th shouldn't be that hard.

Golden State Valkyries

The Valkyries might be only 2 seasons old, but you can’t say the same about their coach Sandy Brondello.

The Aussie 1-time COTY led the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty to championships before arriving in Golden State.

Under her marvellous lead, the Valkyries are on their way to the 2nd spot with a 24-9 record and a current 5-game winning streak.

Las Vegas Aces

When you’ve the WNBA’s reigning MVP, 3-time champion and the leading scorer A’Ja Wilson on board, it’s hard not to make it to the playoffs.

The defending champs haven’t missed the playoffs since 2019.

Their 23-11 record suggests they’re on track to join the Lynx and Valkyries as the 3rd team.

Indiana Fever

The Fever have got the league’s No.2 and 3 leading scorers, Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark, multiple All-Star Aliyah Boston and Sophie Cunningham, who is currently having her best shooting season so far.

Together, they’ve said no to repeating the injury-ridden 2025, are holding a 21-12 record and are the 4^th name in favour of entering the playoffs.  

Atlanta Dream

The team that acquired WNBA star Angel Reese in a blockbuster trade this season is currently ranked 2nd in the Eastern Conference Division.

With Reese, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, etc, on board, the Dream is heading towards its 4^th consecutive playoff journey.

Hope it doesn’t end with a 1st-round exit, though.

Washington Mystics

The Mystics’ young, W-inexperienced core is coming off surprisingly well compared to what many thought they would.

12 of their 18 active-roster players are rookies, notably Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalić, and Cotie McMahon.

But they’ve also got rising stars like Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citrons or injury returners like Shakira Austin and Georgia Amoore. Currently at 19-13, they’re favored to make a statement playoff entry.

Dallas Wings

With the 2026 No.1 overall pick Azzi Fudd on the roster, the Wings were expected to have a better standing than this.

But thanks to star guards like Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, and forward Jessica Shephard, Dallas currently sits in 7^th place with a 20-14 record.

New York Liberty

Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, aka the Big Three, have pushed the team into 8^th spot.

They were on a 4-game winning streak before the Fever snapped it with a blockbuster 106-92 win this Tuesday.

But the Liberty have played the Aces for the Commissioner's Cup and returned with a 93-85 victory. So, there will be chances for them to turn the tables around.

This settles the 8 teams with the highest contention potential. But who among them do you think will upgrade their game the most once the postseason finally hits?

Let us know in the comments.

Follow Her Sports Nation for more.

Written by

Deblina Roy