MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Minnesota Lynx open their 2026 WNBA season Saturday against the Atlanta Dream at Target Center. Both teams enter with 0-0 records across all competitions. Atlanta last played Sept. 16, 2025, losing 77-60 to the Indiana Fever. Minnesota last played Sept. 28, 2025, falling 86-81 to the Phoenix Mercury. The Dream are 2.5-point favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The over-under is 157.5 total points. The game begins a heavy early-season schedule for both clubs. Atlanta plays six games in the first 12 days: at Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday, at Dallas on May 11-12, then home against Las Vegas on May 16-17. The Dream then host Dallas on May 22 and Phoenix on May 24 before returning to Minnesota for games May 26-27. Atlanta closes May at Portland on May 29. Minnesota plays four games in six days to start: at home against Atlanta on Saturday and Sunday, then at Phoenix on May 11-12. The Lynx visit Dallas on May 14, host Chicago on May 16-17 and Toronto on May 21, then travel to Chicago on May 23. They finish May with back-to-back home games against Atlanta on May 26-27. The teams meet four times in the season’s first 18 days — Saturday, Sunday, May 26 and May 27. Both are coming off losses in their most recent games, with Atlanta seeking its first victory since Sept. 14, 2025, and Minnesota looking to end a losing streak dating to Sept. 26, 2025. The Lynx aim to protect home court after finishing the 2025 season 8-12 at Target Center. The Dream feature a young core that struggled to close games last season, while the Lynx return veteran leadership looking to build continuity. Atlanta will be without any preseason tune-up, making the opener a test of early chemistry. Minnesota has had a full training camp to install new offensive sets under returning staff. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central. The game will be broadcast on local affiliates and streamed on league platforms.