What to know for Sunday’s WNBA draft lottery: Teams, odds, how to watch, more originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Will the Dallas Wings hit the lottery once again?
Dallas enters the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery on Sunday boasting the best odds to win the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft.
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The Wings won the lottery for the first time in franchise history last year — and what a year it was to have the top pick. Dallas selected Paige Bueckers, who went on to become an All-Star starter and a near-unanimous Rookie of the Year winner in a dazzling debut campaign. And now, Dallas has a chance to pair Bueckers with another No. 1 overall selection.
But the Wings aren’t the only team in contention to land the coveted top pick. Four other franchises, including a pair of playoff teams from last season, will be hoping Lady Luck is on their side this weekend.
So, from the teams involved to how the event works and more, here’s everything to know about the draft lottery:
How does the WNBA draft lottery work?
The WNBA draft lottery isn’t exactly the same as the NBA draft lottery. While the WNBA draft lottery incorporates the non-playoff teams from the previous season, the odds are assigned based on cumulative records from the past two seasons. That means the lottery team with the worst combined record over the last two seasons has the best odds.
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For the drawing, teams are assigned varying numbers of four-digit combinations. The team with the worst cumulative record has the most combinations, the team with the second-worst record has the second-most combinations, and so on.
Fourteen ping pong balls numbered 1-14 are placed in machine, and four balls are drawn to award the No. 1 pick. The process is then repeated to award the No. 2 pick.
The third, fourth and fifth picks are assigned based on cumulative record, with the worst remaining team getting the No. 3 selection.
Since the lottery is used to award only the top two picks, the Wings are guaranteed a top-three selection.
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What teams are in the WNBA draft lottery?
The five non-playoff teams from last season were the Wings, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun. But, due to trades, the Sparks and Sun aren’t part of the lottery..
Instead, the Seattle Storm, who picked No. 2 overall in 2025, and Minnesota Lynx are in the mix even after reaching this past postseason. Here’s a full look at the five lottery teams:
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Dallas Wings, 19-65 cumulative record
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Minnesota Lynx (via Chicago Sky, 23-61 cumulative record)
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Seattle Storm (via Los Angeles Sparks, 29-55 cumulative record)
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Washington Mystics, 30-54 cumulative record
What are the WNBA draft lottery odds?
The Wings boast the top odds for the No. 1 pick at 42%, while the Sky have the longest odds at 5.5%:
When is the WNBA draft lottery?
The draft lottery is set for Sunday, Nov. 23.
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What time is the WNBA draft lottery?
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT/3:30 p.m. PT.
What TV channel is the WNBA draft lottery on?
ESPN will air the draft lottery.
Where to stream the WNBA draft lottery live online
It will also be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.
Who are the top WNBA draft prospects in 2026?
The potential 2026 draft class is headlined by UCLA center Lauren Betts, UConn guard Azzi Fudd and TCU guard Olivia Miles.
Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts and Olivia Miles. (Getty Images)
Betts, a First Team All-American last season, averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.9 blocks in 2024-25, powering the Bruins to their first-ever Final Four. The 6-foot-7 center shot 64.8% from the field and 62% at the line.
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Fudd combined with Bueckers to lead the Huskies to a national championship last season. Fudd, who had been limited by knee injuries the previous two seasons, capped a big comeback season in 2024-25 by being named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. For the season, she averaged 13.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals on a blistering 47.4/43.6/91.7 shooting split in 34 games.
Miles transferred to TCU after four seasons at Notre Dame. She was a two-time Second Team All-American with the Fighting Irish, including last season when she averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.4 steals on an impressive 48.3/40.6/79.0 shooting split.
When is the 2026 WNBA Draft?
The 2026 WNBA Draft takes place Monday, April 13.
