Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lynx fans and fans across the country.
As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, its pretty clear that the Minnesota Lynx will be the number one seed in the playoffs.
Again.
They can only control what they control, therefore their first round opponent remains up in the air. It’s a wild tussle for seeding, but there’s a tier of teams that is taking shape near the bottom of the playoff umbrella. At the time of writing this, these three teams are separated by just one game.
6. New York Liberty (7.5 GB)
7. Washington Mystics (8.0 GB)
8. Dallas Wings (8.5 GB)
The chances that Minnesota draws one of these teams is high. Let’s quickly review how the Lynx have matched up against each of those three this season.
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 17: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty and Breanna Stewart #30 of the New York Liberty look on from the bench during the first half of a 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game on June 17, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
New York Liberty
It would certainly be sweet to get a lick back against the team that stole the 2024 WNBA championship from them. Minnesota is currently 1-1 against New York this season with one more game left after the FIBA World Cup break. In their first game against the Liberty back in early July, the Lynx experienced one of their only two double-digit losses of the season. Napheesa Collier was not active yet, giving Breanna Stewart the opportunity to go off for a season-high 37 points.
A week later, both teams rematched, and though Minnesota was still without Collier’s services, they jumped to a 15-point first half lead thanks to red hot shooting from perimeter. A horrific third quarter allowed New York to march right back in the game, even taking a lead heading into the final quarter. Fortunately, Kayla McBride took over from there, exploding for a 14-point quarter to win in dramatic fashion.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 19: Sonia Citron #22, Shakira Austin #0, Cotie McMahon #23, and Kiki Iriafen #44 of the Washington Mystics huddle during the first half of the game against the Toronto Tempo at CareFirst Arena on August 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Washington Mystics
The self-proclaimed “Young Hos” have been a fun storyline in the W. They are without a single regular rotation player above the age of 26 (not considering their recent acquisition of Betnijah Laney-Hamilton) and have developed into a surprising playoff team.
The Lynx recently won the season series 2-1. Washington may have surprised Minnesota back in June, taking advantage of a poor shooting performance by the Lynx. A brief 10-point Lynx lead was short-lived, as the Mystics battled back thanks to balanced attack. Reeve’s team was able to limit Shakira Austin, but Sonia Citron, Kiki Ariafen, and a surprising rookie in Cotie McMahon led a late charge. Minnesota dropped a six-point lead with just about two minutes left in the game, stealing the game by ending things with a 14-3 run.
In their second matchup, the Lynx struggled to build any significant advantage over Washington once again, struggling to score efficiently against the size of the Mystics frontcourt. This time, it was Washington who built up a 12-point lead with about seven minutes left in the game. However, Olivia Miles made sure to get retribution, scoring 10 fourth quarter points including a killer pull-up dagger three-pointer, silencing the crowd in attendance.
Their most recent meeting occurred just a few days ago. Once again, it was a close game throughout as neither team really took full control of the game. For the first time all season, the Lynx finally got loose from perimeter. Those uppercuts paired nicely with the body blows that Natasha Howard delivered all game, scoring 21 points on 10 of 12 shooting from the field. Miles came up huge late in the game again, scoring key buckets late to secure the game. For the third time, Collier did not suit up against Washington.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 9: Alanna Smith #8 and Jessica Shepard #32 of the Dallas Wings celebrates during the game against the Indiana Fever on May 9, 2026 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse inIndianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Dean/NBAE via Getty Images)
NBAE via Getty Images
Dallas Wings
This matchup has the most drama and storyline juice. Not only would the Lynx be facing off against Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith, two of the main pieces to Minnesota’s front court last year, but Paige Bueckers would get her first playoff experience by squaring off against her hometown Lynx.
Minnesota swept Dallas 4-0 in the regular season. Two or three of those games were of the blowout variety. Only in their first game did the Wings have a chance to steal the game had it not been for some clutch pick-and-roll offense by Miles and Howard. The last game they played was also relatively close until we got the Kayla McBride explosion of the season, igniting the Lynx with her record-setting 43-point, 10 three pointer performance.
Collier only played in one total against any of these three teams (Dallas) so far, so one could assume it would play to the Lynx advantage to have some more familiarity with the matchups and schemes. The Wings would also be without the services of the number one overall draft pick, Azzi Fudd, who has been shutdown down a lingering knee issue.
Now that we’ve unpacked those potential opponents, we ask you who you would hope the Lynx face off against first in the postseason?
Which first round opponent would you rather the Lynx draw in the playoffs?