WNBA Playoff Picture 2026, Official Bracket Scenarios After Wings vs. Sparks

The Dallas Wings improved their positioning in the 2026 WNBA playoff picture with a 97-77 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday night.

Here's a look at the updated standings and bracket scenarios following the victory.

2. Golden State Valkyries, 29-11 (2 GB)*

While all eight playoff spots have already been clinched, teams are still looking to improve their seeding as the postseason draws closer.

The Wings entered Thursday's action in a three-way tie with the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty before emerging victorious over Los Angeles.

Dallas won largely due to the efforts of star guard Paige Bueckers, who scored a team-high 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting against the Sparks.

Although the Wings moved above New York with the win, Washington was also able to take down the Chicago Sky on Thursday. The Mystics own the tiebreaker over Dallas, putting them in the No. 6 seed as the Wings sit at No. 7.

The Atlanta Dream picked up a 103-59 win over the Connecticut Sun on Thursday as well. The Dream now hold the No. 4 spot in the playoff picture, although they're just 0.5 games back from the Las Vegas Aces at No. 3. Atlanta is also a mere 0.5 games up on the Indiana Fever at No. 5, though.

All three teams will be attempting to clinch one of the top four playoff spots in order to earn home-court advantage in the first round.

Higher up the WNBA standings, the Minnesota Lynx are trying to secure the No. 1 seed in the league for the second consecutive year.

The Lynx, led by standout rookie Olivia Miles and star forward Napheesa Collier, only need to win two of their final four games in order to clinch the top seed heading into the playoffs.