If you are a fan of the WNBA and you have been distracted by the controversy that has lately surrounded the league, the playoff picture is officially in place. Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, New York, Indiana, Washington, Minnesota, and the Valkyries are officially the playoff contenders.
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As the heavyweights and the underdogs get ready to enter the postseason in October, following the final few after the 2026 FIBA World Cup break comes to an end, the fans await an action-packed playoff.
However, there are players on the team that don’t make the list of top players. Their impact on defense and offense may not dominate the stat board, but Swish Appeal’s numbers highlight how these role players are key to the contending teams’ success.
Most important role players on every playoff team
- Atlanta Dream, Jordin Canada
Jordin Canada’s stat line and the fact that she’s started all 37 games she’s played so far is perhaps the most obvious indicator of her importance on the Atlanta Dream. The WNBA averages 11.5 points, 7.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. The Dream point guard fills a lot of gaps for the Dream with her presence, including one at the scoring end.
She is Atlanta’s best ball handler and one of the best in the league. Not only does she make the game easy for her teammates, but Atlanta’s offensive turnovers also decrease by 3.2% with Canada on the court.
Moreover, she is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. With her on the court, Atlanta forces 6.5% more turnovers on defense. The top three steal leaders in the league are from the Dream. Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese force 2.4 and 1.8 turnovers per game, respectively.
- Dallas Wings, Awak Kuier
If you are watching Awak Kuier on the scoring end, it would be hard to judge her impact on the Dallas Wings. However, her defensive prowess is a different story. In the last five games, she has averaged 3.8 blocks per game, including a game with seven blocks.
While Angel Reese’s record-setting rebounding skill overshadowed almost everyone else in the league, Kuier’s rebounding numbers, especially on defense, aren’t too bad either. She’s currently averaging 3.7 rebounds per game, 2.9 of which are defensive rebounds.
The Wings are 6.2 points better on the defensive end with Kuier on the hardwood. With Azzi Fudd now out for the season, there’s increased defensive responsibility on every player, including Awka Kuier.
- Golden State Valkyries, Kiah Stokes
Kiah Stokes’ defensive numbers are simply elite, possessing the lowest defensive field goal percentage (40.8%) in the entire league. She is also among the top two players in the league as a screener defender when the Valkyries execute pick-and-roll.
The Valkyries are the prime example of an elite team because of teamwork, and Stokes is an important part of that chemistry, and it’s not always straightforward.
However, it is Stokes’ offense that makes head coach Natalie Nakase’s job a tricky one. With Stokes in the lineup, the Valkyries’ offense takes a big hit (-15.6 points). But without her, their defense suffers, both in rebounding and blocks.
- Indiana Fever, Makayla Timpson
Head coach Stephanie White made a midseason adjustment, putting Makayla Timpson in the starting lineup, replacing Monique Billings. Since then, the Fever have posted a net rating of +28. Perhaps that should summarise Timpson’s importance for the Fever.
The Fever already possess the best offense in the lineup, but their top two offensive stars, Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, aren’t topping the defensive charts, so Timpson’s presence becomes even more important.
With Timpson on the floor, opponents’ shooting goes down by 15% in the paint, and a similar trend happens at midrange. She is athletic and can make short-range shots that’s crucial to the Fever squad that’s struggled all season defensively.
- Las Vegas Aces, NaLyssa Smith
Smith is an integral part of the Aces in their back-to-back title hopes, and last year was the ultimate testament to that. Becky Hammon was constantly on Smith’s back because she knew how important her forward was to her.
When the Aces faced a tough semifinal series against the Indiana Fever, she delivered. Smith had 18 and 16 points in back-to-back games, helping the Aces win the series and eventually the title.
This season, she is averaging 11.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, and shooting 63.8% from the field. The Aces starter is not just another scoring option for Las Vegas. Smith provides physicality to the Aces and an excellent defense that they would certainly need in the postseason.
However, Smith went down with a knee injury in the last game against the Toronto Tempo. The Aces are yet to provide any update on her injury, but if it is serious, Las Vegas could be in trouble.
- Minnesota Lynx, Nia Coffey
Nia Coffey played most of her 2026 season as a starter before Napheesa Collier came back from injury. However, Coffey remains important to the Lynx.
Yes, Collier remains their defensive anchor, but Coffey’s importance exponentially increases when Collier is not on the court. She is also averaging 1.1 blocks this season.
The Lynx will need Coffey for defensive rebounding, an area they have always struggled with this season against physical teams. Opponents’ offensive rebounding falls by nearly 5% when Coffey takes Collier’s place in the lineup.
The Lynx are already by far the best team in the league, yet again this year. Perhaps Coffey is one of the pieces that addresses their past mistakes in the playoffs.
- New York Liberty, Leonie Fiebich
Satou Sabally’s absence has already put the Liberty in a very vulnerable position this season. But even if Sabally were healthy, Leonie Fiebich would still be their second most important piece.
The German forward gives New York an edge on multiple fronts. She is a decent contributor on offense, averaging 10.7 points per game. She is also one of the best shooters on the Liberty team, making 44.6% of her 3-point shots.
However, it is her defensive presence that is irreplaceable. Fiebich possesses a massive wingspan that is important for the Liberty’s perimeter defense. With Fiebich, the Liberty’s 3-point defense improves by 8.8%.
She has played only 15 games this season because of injury but should be available for the playoffs.
- Washington Mystics, Michaela Onyenwere
While the Mystics are in the postseason, they have a 3-point problem that significantly elevates Michaela Onyenwere’s importance on the team. They are the worst 3-point shooting team in the entire league. So Onyenwere’s 41.3% shooting is a big boost.
Her presence also impacts the overall Mystics’ offense, as the team records an increased 4.5% true shooting with her on the court.
The Mystics forward has been exceptional in her role and has excelled as an offensive rebounder. With her on the court, Washington’s offensive rebounds jump by 4.5%. Moreover, Onyenwere also impacts the team’s scoring similarly. With her, the Mystics post +11 points, a substantive swing for any player’s caliber.
So the stars may grab the headlines, but the playoffs could depend just as much on the players whose contribution remains consistent throughout the season. These role players might be the difference between a deep run and an early exit.