The 2026 WNBA regular season doesn't end until Sept. 24, more than a month from now. But that period includes a multi-week break from Aug. 31-Sept. 16 for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup (the tournament itself runs from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin, Germany), which means that in terms of actual games, the season is more than three-fourths complete. Every team has played at least 33 games, and the Seattle Storm have played 37.
The first-place Minnesota Lynx and the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces have already clinched playoff spots, while the Storm and the Connecticut Sun have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. Most years, the stretch run would have battles at both ends of the playoff picture, but that's not the case this season. Due to a number of factors, including expansion, the eight playoff teams are largely set.
The Dallas Wings, who sit in eighth place, have a five-game lead on the ninth-place Portland Fire, who would need a miracle to catch them and would be better off in the lottery anyway. Still, there's plenty to play for down the stretch. The Lynx are trying to hold off the Golden State Valkyries for the No. 1 seed, and in the crowded middle of the playoff pack, just two games separate the No. 3 Aces from the No. 7 New York Liberty.
The next few weeks before the break are going to be fascinating. Here are CBS Sports' latest WNBA Power Rankings
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