The fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream are set to host the fifth-seeded Washington Mystics at State Farm Arena on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET. The matchup marks the official launch of their first-round WNBA playoff series, bringing together two competitive teams with strong finishes to the regular season.
Washington holds the upper hand from the regular-season series, winning two out of three games against Atlanta. Both of the Mystics’ victories took place at the Entertainment and Sports Arena by scores of 81-76 and 79-74. However, the Dream managed to secure a road victory against Washington back on June 6, 2026, and enter the postseason carrying major momentum after winning nine of their final 10 games to finish with a 30-14 record.
The Mystics enter the playoffs with a 28-16 record. They wrapped up their regular-season schedule with a 101-93 home victory over the Chicago Sky. Washington boasts the league’s third-best defense, anchored by solid contributions from Shakira Austin, Kiki Iriafen, and Sonia Citron. Official roster reports confirm that the Mystics enter Game 1 with a completely healthy squad and zero injuries.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream will have to navigate the playoff opener without Matilde Villa and Brionna Jones, both sidelined due to injuries. Even so, the Dream lean heavily on a talented roster featuring rebound leader Angel Reese, three-point leader Rhyne Howard, and dependable double-figure scorers Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada as they look to protect their home court.
