2026 WNBA playoff race reaches its final stretch

Key developments

1. Aug 26, 2026

   The Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics both clinch 2026 WNBA playoff berths, with seven of the eight postseason spots now decided.

   11 sources on this →
2. Aug 26, 2026

   The Phoenix Mercury are eliminated from playoff contention as Alyssa Thomas records a historic triple-double, becoming the first WNBA player to reach 5,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists.

   5 sources on this →

Coverage across the spectrum

Stories in this storyline

Photo: Phoenix Mercury — Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

Sports

Wings, Mystics Clinch WNBA Playoff Berths

The Dallas Wings, after a remarkable turnaround from last season, clinched a playoff berth and sit in an 8th-place seeding position that could set up a first-round matchup with the top seed. The Washington Mystics secured their first playoff appearance since 2023 under coach Sydney Johnson, led by Shakira Austin’s 31 points and clutch performances, as the league moves toward seven of eight postseason spots being clinched.

11 sources

Photo: Michael Cohn Photo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sports

Naz Hillmon Fined $500 for Second Tech, WNBA Rules

In recent WNBA action, Naz Hillmon was fined for her second technical foul of the season as Atlanta beat Los Angeles, while Alyssa Thomas delivered a historic triple-double and became the first player to reach 5,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists—despite also accumulating a sixth tech and contributing to Phoenix’s playoff elimination. The week also featured Angel Reese’s career-high 31 points for Atlanta and A’ja Wilson’s near-triple-double for Las Vegas in a win that underscored a mix of standout performances and ongoing discipline-related fines across the league.