2026 WNBA Championship Odds & Predictions: Minnesota Lynx Favored Ahead of Playoffs

The WNBA is on break for the FIBA World Cup. In fact, it's a 17-day break and games will resume on Thursday, Sept. 17. After the break, each team has four games remaining out of a 44-game regular-season schedule. In this article, you will find the current 2026 WNBA championship odds, picks, and my best predictions.

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The beauty of this all is that the top eight playoff teams have been determined and the Portland Fire, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Toronto Tempo, Connecticut Sun, and Seattle Storm have all been eliminated from playoff contention. Now the fun part comes: fine tuning playoff seeds 1-8.

The Minnesota Lynx (31-9), led by Olivia Miles, Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Natasha Howard are the clear No. 1 team in the WNBA. They've retained the top spot since late May and haven't let off the gas. With Collier back in the lineup, they enter the break on a two-game losing streak. In fact, they hold a slim two-game lead over the Golden State Valkyries for the No. 2 spot.

In fact, the Lynx are considered one of the most decorated franchises in WNBA history with four championships and 17 playoff appearances. All titles have come under head coach Cheryl Reeve since 2011, and the Lynx are two seasons removed from a Finals appearance against the New York Liberty. Overall, Minnesota has made the playoffs in 14 of the last 15 seasons.

A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are the modern-day dynasty under head coach Becky Hammon, as they've won three championships over the last four years. Since 2022, only the New York Liberty have won a championship (2024) outside of the Aces.

No surprise, the Lynx have -110 odds on DraftKings, and lead the race with a 52.38% chance of winning the WNBA Finals. Next are the Aces (+700), Golden State Valkyries (+700), and Atlanta Dream (+750) to round out the top four. Since 2022, the favorites are 4-0 in the Finals. Since 2016, only two teams were not favored to win the final, but did: the Chicago Sky in 2021 vs. the Phoenix Mercury and the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016 vs. the Minnesota Lynx.

Prior to the start of the 2026 season, the New York Liberty (+220), Las Vegas Aces (+390), Indiana Fever (+450), and Atlanta Dream (+650) were the top four favorites to win the championship. The Lynx were +800 preseason.

Let's take a look at the current WNBA championship odds, preseason odds, the favorite, sleeper, and my final prediction who will win in 2026.

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2026 WNBA Championship Odds (DraftKings)

• Minnesota Lynx: -110
• Las Vegas Aces: +700
• Golden State Valkyries: +700
• Atlanta Dream: +750
• Indiana Fever: +800
• New York Liberty: +1500
• Washington Mystics: +7000
• Dallas Wings: +7500

2026 Preseason WNBA Championship Odds (DraftKings)

• New York Liberty +220
• Las Vegas Aces +390
• Indiana Fever +450
• Atlanta Dream +650
• Minnesota Lynx +800
• Los Angeles Sparks +1400
• Phoenix Mercury +3000
• Dallas Wings +3000
• Golden State Valkyries +4500
• Chicago Sky +10000
• Washington Mystics +15000
• Toronto Tempo +20000
• Seattle Storm +25000
• Portland Fire +40000
• Connecticut Sun +50000

The Favorite

Minnesota Lynx: -110

The Lynx entered the 2026 WNBA season with the fifth-best odds (+800) to win the championship on DraftKings. In fact, this was expected after Minnesota lost several key players in the offseason: Bridget Carleton (Fire), Natisha Hiedeman (Storm), and Alanna Smith and Jessica Sheppard signed with the Wings. Not to mention, Napheesa Collier missed the first 27 games after having bilateral ankle surgery. She did not make her debut until July 22!

One thing I've learned is to never doubt Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx. They finished with the WNBA's best record of 34-10 in 2025, although they fell short of championship expectations. Last season, they finished as the No. 1 ranked team in offensive rating (109.5) and defensive rating (97.5) including an MVP-caliber season.

If we look at 2024, the Lynx finished second in the standings with a 30-10 record and made the finals. This season, they again own the best record in the league at 31-9. In fact, they rank No. 2 in offensive rating (113), defensive rating (103.5), and own the top spot in NET Rating (9.5).

The reason for their success all starts with rookie Olivia Miles, who was drafted No. 2 in the 2026 overall draft by Minnesota. We knew Miles was good, but she is elite. Her ability to create shots, drive downhill and facilitate is second to none. Miles' IQ and court vision are off the charts. The clear Rookie of the Year favorite, Miles has the second-best odds (+800) behind A'ja Wilson for WNBA MVP.

Olivia Miles is Generational

This season Miles leads all rookies with 19.7 points per game and 6.0 assists. If we look at the stats, she ranks eighth overall in scoring and is shooting nearly 50/40/90. For a rookie, shooting 49.5% from the field, 39.6% from three, and 86.9% from the line is impressive. Not to mention, the re-signing of Kayla McBride, Collier, and Courtney Williams was crucial. We've seen McBride explode for a 43-point performance, including a record 10 made 3-pointers against the Wings.

We know McBride is a bucket from beyond the arc and Williams thrives in fast-paced play and the mid-range. But how about the free agency signing of former Defensive Player of the Year, Natasha Howard? She filled in nicely for Collier and even earned All-Star honors. Putting up as many as 36 points in July, Howard has been a force on the interior for Minnesota.

Boasting a +7.9 point differential doesn't leave much debate about how good this team is. There's no question the Lynx have been dominant against teams that have been eliminated from the playoffs. In 2026, they boasted a 17-3 record against teams seeded 9-15. But let's take that a step further: Minnesota is 17-3 against 1-8 playoff seeds. In addition, they have a 6-4 record against top four teams: Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, and Atlanta Dream.

Why the Lynx Can Win it All

If the playoffs ended today, the Lynx would match up with the Dallas Wings, whom they swept 4-0 this season. That would leave them to face the Fever (1-0) or the Atlanta Dream (1-2).

The Lynx are a powerful team: they rank first in record, points scored per game (91.3), NET Rating, point differential, and more. They are not an overly heavy 3-point shooting team, but are precise beyond the arc. A formidable squad on both ends of the floor, the Lynx thrive off steals, blocks, and on the glass.

While they hold the No. 1 spot and are the overwhelming favorites to win the WNBA championship, the Lynx are mortal. Not only did they enter the FIBA World Cup break on a two-game losing skid, but the losses have come against top teams: the Valkyries and Atlanta Dream.  It's impressive they've lost just three games since July 8. However, they're not unbeatable against top teams.

• Overall, the Lynx have all the tools to win it all, and have a top-heavy rotation. According to ESPN, they have the second-best win title percentage 24.2% behind Golden State.

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The Sleeper

Atlanta Dream: +750

I legitimately believe that the Atlanta Dream have a shot at winning the 2026 WNBA Championship. At +750 odds on DraftKings, the Dream have an 11.76% implied chance to win this year.

One aspect I noticed is that the Dream jumped ahead of the Fever in the odds department. For starters, Atlanta is fairly healthy, aside from Bri Jones, who did not return before the FIBA World Cup break. Last week, the Dream added depth by signing veteran DeWanna Bonner, who was waived by the Phoenix Mercury in pursuit of a championship.

Atlanta is hungry for its first-ever championship and is fresh off a franchise-best 30 regular-season wins under head coach Karl Smesko in 2025. While they've been a first-round exit over the last three seasons, 2026 feels different ... in a good way.

With a 26-14 record, the Dream are tied with the Fever for the No. 5 seed. If the season ended today, they would be pitted against Caitlin Clark and Indiana. However, each teams has roughly four games remaining when the break resumes on Sept. 17.

Trio of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray & Angel Reese

Over the years, the Dream have been knocking at the door of a championship. Atlanta already has a core of two-way guards in Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. Both of which are averaging career highs. Gray, who's a sniper from beyond the arc, is averaging 19.3 points per game, while Howard is putting up a career-best 18.3 points per game.

The Dream were the WNBA's top rebounding team in 2025, but made reinforcements to their frontcourt by trading for Angel Reese in the offseason. It's been a perfect fit for Reese, who leads the league in rebounds per game (12.4) and broke a single-season WNBA record with 29 double-doubles.

This team is far beyond just a trio. Jordin Canada is healthy and ranks third in assists per game (7.4). Former Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon has put together a career year. Now with the addition of Bonner, the Dream have much-needed depth with Madina Okot, Te-Hina Paopao, and more.

The Addition of DeWanna Bonner Adds Depth

The addition of Bonner is monstrous considering the Dream bench produces just 16.8 points per game, the second-lowest in the WNBA. If Jones makes a comeback, this team could be lethal, especially in the frontcourt.

There's no doubt the Dream offense can be stagnant at times, but still, Atlanta ranks No. 5 in offensive rating (111.2), and fourth in defensive rating (105.0) and NET rating (6.2). Boasting the fourth-best point differential in the WNBA (+5.1), the Dream own the second-best record at 10-4 since the All-Star break.

Since that time, they've owned the WNBA's second-best defensive rating (104.1), and are playing with pace. Mind you, a +7.0 point differential and putting up 93.5 points per game is impressive. While they have a 13-7 road record, they've won six of seven on the road since the All-Star break.

Winning on the road is important, especially in the playoffs. Since July 28, Atlanta not only defeated the Wings on the road, but also the Aces. The only downside is that the Dream have a 9-11 record against playoff teams this season.

• Overall, I think Atlanta can go all the way if they stay hot. Frontcourt depth and two-way stardom in the backcourt is what defines this team. Atlanta is 2-1 against the Lynx this season and 2-2 against the Fever. Watch out for the Dream, they are one of my top candidates to go far. 

WNBA Champions: My Prediction

Minnesota Lynx: -110

I truly feel the race is wide open this year, and it's been many years since I've said this. As much as I want to pick the Golden State Valkyries here (and that may be a possibility), I'm going with the Lynx.

The Aces are the defending champions, so I can never count them out. But to me, the Liberty and Wings have been too inconsistent. And while the Fever are strong candidates, I simply cannot trust their defense.

That leaves the door open for the Lynx. They've been the WNBA's best team, and they have the most chemistry with that core of Collier, McBride, and Williams. I like their depth, and of course the great Cheryl Reeve. They've had the series edge over the Wings, Valkyries (which is a huge deal, 3-1), Aces, and Fever. I've mentioned my reasons above, but this is a team that should have strong home-court advantage.