The WNBA regular season might be approaching its finish line, but Tuesday night proved there is still plenty of drama left to deliver. The night delivered no shortage of storylines, with an unbelievable comeback after 17 unanswered opening points on one end. And on another, the Las Vegas Aces further reinforced their postseason credentials with another commanding performance. 

From the Valkyries’ unexpected overtime loss to the Aces’ continued momentum push into the playoffs, here are some of the most interesting storylines from some of the final games of the 2026 WNBA regular season.

Valkyries Blow 17-Point Lead as Fire Force Overtime Collapse

The Golden State Valkyries looked firmly in control when they opened Tuesday’s game against the Portland Fire with a stunning 17-0 run. In fact, Portland could not find a basket for the first 6:40 of the game, and the Valkyries eventually took a 24-10 lead into the second quarter. From that point, however, the game began slipping away from them in the most dramatic fashion.

Portland gradually chipped away at the deficit and even took their first lead at 37-35 in the second quarter. The Valkyries, however, managed to recover and still led 40-37 at halftime, but they had lost the quarter 27-16. And as the game wore on, it became clear that the dominant opening run had been a false indicator of how the night would unfold, because, apart from that first quarter, the Valkyries did not win a single period for the rest of the game.

The second half was a back-and-forth battle that neither side could put away cleanly. When the Valkyries appeared to regain control late, with Gabby Williams hitting a go-ahead three-pointer during a 12-2 fourth-quarter run, Portland responded with a 9-0 surge to reclaim the lead. Also, Williams tied the game with a left-handed layup, but the Valkyries could not convert their final possession, sending the game to overtime.

Portland then took complete control in the extra period, outscoring the Valkyries 13-5 to complete a remarkable 90-82 comeback. As it appears, this defeat carries a significant playoff consequence. It cost the Golden State Valkyries their chance at the No. 1 seed. They will now finish either second or third in the standings, depending on Thursday’s results.

Aces Clinch Top-Three Seed as A’ja Wilson Delivers Yet Another Double-Double

Unlike the Valkyries, the Las Vegas Aces took care of business against the Los Angeles Sparks, winning 89-79 and heading into the playoffs with home-court advantage in the opening round already secured.

As expected, A’ja Wilson was once again at the center of the victory. She finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds for her 19th double-double of the season. She has led the Aces in scoring 31 times this season. And her consistency at the top of the WNBA offensive hierarchy has been one of the defining constants of the entire season, as she also continues to lead the league in scoring average at 26.2 points per game, 

The victory guaranteed the Aces at least the No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round. There is, however, still a path to the No. 2 seed, but it requires the Aces to win their final regular-season game against the Phoenix Mercury while the Golden State Valkyries drop their remaining game against the Sparks. Whether or not the seeding improves, Las Vegas enters the postseason with momentum, health, and A’ja Wilson looking every bit like the best player in the league.

Nneka Ogwumike Receives Emotional Farewell as Sparks Fall to Aces

For the Los Angeles Sparks, an 89-79 loss to the Aces did not take away the meaning and emotions attached to that game. Veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike is playing her 15th and final WNBA season after announcing her retirement. And with the Aces game now behind her, she only has one game left before hanging up her sneakers for good.

Before the game, A’ja Wilson presented Ogwumike with flowers, while the Sparks star was later honored with an emotional standing ovation. Hers is a career that includes a WNBA championship, multiple All-Star selections, and a lengthy stint as president of the WNBA Players Association. That moment of recognition was definitely well-deserved and will remain a memorable one.

Sky Snap Five-Game Losing Streak Behind Balanced Offensive Attack

The Chicago Sky finally had something to celebrate after enduring a five-game losing streak. They defeated the Toronto Tempo 97-85, thanks to a balanced offensive effort from Gabriela Jaquez, Sydney Taylor, and Kamilla Cardoso.

Gabriela Jaquez and Sydney Taylor led the way with 18 points apiece, while Kamilla Cardoso added 17 points. Jaquez was particularly efficient, going 8-for-10 from the field, while Cardoso made eight of her 11 attempts. Notably, Chicago’s offense came alive in the third quarter when Cardoso scored eight points during an 18-2 run that turned a close game into a 62-48 Sky advantage with 3:29 remaining in the period. That burst gave Chicago the separation it needed.

The Chicago Sky also got valuable contributions beyond their established rotation. The team used the game to give developmental players Morgan Maly and Kate Martin significant minutes, with Maly contributing eight points. It made the victory even more encouraging as Chicago continues to develop its young talent and look towards the next season.

They face the Washington Mystics in their last game of the season. And they will be hoping that they can close out the season with a win.

Tempo Hit Seven-Game Losing Streak as Late-Season Slide Continues

While it seemed like redemption for the Chicago Sky, things continue to move in the wrong direction for the Toronto Tempo. Their 97-85 loss to Chicago on Tuesday extended their losing streak to seven games. Even more concerning, Toronto has now lost 19 of its last 20 games as its difficult late-season stretch continues.

Their problem in that game actually started with the Chicago Sky’s third-quarter surge. After keeping pace with the Sky through the first half, they were outscored during Chicago’s decisive 18-2 run, and they could not recover from that stretch despite shooting 50 percent from three-point range for the game.

They now have one final regular-season opportunity to end the skid when they visit Connecticut on Thursday. Hopefully, they can end the season in a better way than their current form suggests.

Mystics Make Franchise History With Record-Breaking 27th Victory

The Washington Mystics made history on Tuesday night by defeating the Connecticut Sun 79-69 to secure their 27th victory of the regular season, setting a new franchise record for wins in a single season. That surpassed the previous mark established by the 2019 championship team.

Shakira Austin was at the heart of the victory, finishing with a game-high 25 points and 13 rebounds. She was particularly important at the free-throw line, where she went 11-for-15. Cotie McMahon also added 13 points off the bench, while Sonia Citron finished with 12.

They play their last regular-season game against the Chicago Sky on Thursday. Hopefully they can extend that win record a little further.

Aces’ Defense Stifles Sparks as Las Vegas Strengthens Playoff Position

The Aces did not simply beat Los Angeles Sparks; they made them work for almost every offensive opportunity. The Aces forced 13 turnovers, including eight steals, and converted those mistakes into 18 points. The defensive pressure was particularly noticeable from beyond the arc, as the Sparks struggled badly early, shooting just 20 percent over their first 15 three-point attempts.

That defensive effort helped the Aces establish control early. After opening the game with a 5-2 deficit, the Aces responded by outscoring the Sparks 22-6 over the final seven minutes of the first quarter, including a 15-0 run. 

For Becky Hammon, the defensive intensity was exactly what she wanted to see. The Aces coach has repeatedly emphasized the importance of their defense, and Tuesday provided another example of what happens when they set the tone on that end of the floor. It’s safe to say this team has the most momentum heading into the playoffs.