In a postseason filled with unexpected results and historic performances, two teams are left standing with a WNBA title on the line: the No. 2 Golden State Valkyries and No. 4 Atlanta Dream.
As a matter of fact, these two teams haven’t just advanced to reach the WNBA Finals; they’ve dominated their ways through the postseason.
Kicking things off in the first round, the Dream swept the Washington Mystics 2-0 in a series that was dominated by Atlanta’s guard play. In the semifinals against the New York Liberty, Atlanta was without Allisha Gray for Game 2 and Game 3 due to a left hand injury she sustained midway through Game 1. As a result, the Dream were in need of someone to step up, and that was Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner. Canada and Bonner’s rise to the occasion was seamless, with the Dream keeping their undefeated postseason streak alive and sweeping the Liberty 3-0, advancing to their first WNBA Finals since 2013.
On the other side of the bracket, the Valkyries have also had their share of elite performances and comebacks. Suiting up against the Dallas Wings in the first round, Golden State took a demanding 104-80 victory in Game 1 led by 22 points from Cecilia Zandalasini and another 20-bomb from Gabby Williams. However, the Wings fought back and took Game 2 to prevent a sweep as Dallas’ Arike Ogunbowale put up a 45-point masterclass that broke the WNBA postseason single‑game scoring record. In a win or go home scenario in Game 3 for both teams, Golden State was able to come back from a 16-point deficit to edge by Dallas in a 77-73 win to advance to the semifinals, where it would play the Las Vegas Aces.
Las Vegas, the defending champions, was one of the favorites to advance to the Finals once again. Although the Valkyries are the second seed and the Aces the third seed, many assumed Las Vegas could easily take the series as Golden State was unable to beat them in any of its three regular season meetings. However, from a complete team effort and incredible defense, the Valkyries were not only able to limit the Aces’ Big Three, but they were also able to sweep Las Vegas 3-0 to advance to the WNBA Finals in just their second season as a franchise.
With both teams overcoming some of the league’s toughest competition to reach the WNBA Finals, the question now is: how do the Valkyries and Dream stack up against each other, and which team has what it takes to capture its first WNBA title?
Series Schedule:
- Game One: Chase Center – Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- Game Two: Chase Center – Monday, Oct. 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock)
- Game Three: State Farm Arena – Thursday, Oct. 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock)
- Game Four: State Farm Arena – Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- Game Five (if necessary): Chase Center – Monday, Oct. 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock)
- Game Six (if necessary): Location TBD – Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock)
- Game Seven (if necessary): Chase Center – Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock)
Series-Defining Matchups
One of the biggest matchups to watch in this series will be Angel Reese against Golden State’s defensive frontcourt. Reese, who earned the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award, has been a dominant force on the boards, averaging a league-leading 12.1 rebounds per game during the regular season, including 4.8 offensive rebounds. With second-chance opportunities being a major part of Atlanta’s success, Kiah Stokes and the Valkyries’ defense will need to limit Reese’s impact in the paint. With Stokes averaging two blocks per game in the postseason, she is more than able to challenge not just Reese, but any other opponent who attempts to attack the basket. Although the Dream certainly have some height on the Valkyries, we have repeatedly seen throughout the regular season and even postseason that with the way this Golden State team has gelled and displayed togetherness, no mismatch in size can rule it out. In fact, Golden State swept the regular season series 3-0, showing that it has the defensive tools to challenge Atlanta.
On the other end, Williams has been a difference-maker for Golden State throughout the postseason. Averaging 22.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in the playoffs, Williams has consistently stepped up when her team has needed her most. Alongside Kayla Thornton and the Valkyries’ depth, Williams will look to challenge an Atlanta defense led by Reese. Although the Valkyries don’t have the notable superstar forwards like the Dream do with Reese, their consistent contributions from players like Thornton and Janelle Salaün will be more than enough to allow Golden State to not only compete in the post, but also in this entire series.
With both teams relying on balanced contributions, this matchup could come down to which supporting cast makes the biggest impact.
Potential Game Changers
For Atlanta, Rhyne Howard and Canada will be two players to watch. With Gray’s health and availability an important storyline, Howard and Canada have already shown they can step up when needed. In the series-clinching Game 3 against New York, Howard recorded 21 points, while Canada finished with 19 points and 11 assists. Canada could be the greatest factor in the Dream’s success in the Finals because without her, Atlanta may not have made it out of the semifinals. Averaging nearly a double-double in the playoffs with 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, Canada has done it all for the Dream when they needed it most. Alongside Canada’s success in not just scoring but setting up her teammates, Howard has also been huge for Atlanta while averaging 19.2 points and 2.2 steals in the postseason, along with 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. The intensity that these two have brought despite the absence of Gray has done wonders for the Dream. And for their hopes to win the WNBA Finals to stay alive, they must maintain that level of production alongside Reese to have a strong chance of defeating Golden State.
For the Valkyries, Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes could be two of the biggest difference-makers in this series. Burton has been a consistent presence in Golden State’s backcourt, averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game during the regular season. Her ability to facilitate the offense while putting pressure on opposing guards will be crucial against an Atlanta team led by Gray, Canada, and Howard. Burton’s defensive intensity and playmaking could help disrupt the Dream’s offensive rhythm, especially if Gray remains out or is limited by her injury. Meanwhile, Hayes has proven that Golden State’s depth is one of its greatest strengths. The veteran guard contributed 21 points off the bench in just 17 minutes during the Valkyries’ Game 2 victory over Las Vegas in the semifinals, helping Golden State take a commanding 2-0 series lead. Her ability to provide an immediate scoring spark gives the Valkyries another option when their offense needs a boost. Alongside Burton, Williams, Thornton, and Salaün, Hayes represents the type of supporting cast that makes Golden State so difficult to defend. If these contributions continue, the Valkyries could have the depth necessary to overcome Atlanta’s star power.
Matchup Outlook and Predictions
Although both teams have earned their place in the WNBA Finals, Golden State enters the series with a notable advantage after sweeping Atlanta in all three regular season meetings. The Valkyries have also demonstrated that their defense can compete with some of the league’s best offenses, sweeping the defending champion Aces despite losing all three regular season matchups against Las Vegas. That turnaround shows how much Golden State has grown throughout the season and how effectively it can adjust in a playoff series to beat all the odds.
However, Atlanta’s postseason run proves that the Dream should not be underestimated. Reese’s dominance on the boards, Howard’s scoring, and Canada’s playmaking give Atlanta several ways to challenge Golden State. The Dream have also shown that they can overcome adversity, sweeping the Liberty despite Gray’s absence in the final two games. If Atlanta can control the glass and limit Golden State’s transition opportunities, it has a realistic chance of making this a competitive series.
Ultimately, Golden State is the No. 2 seed for a reason. Its defensive consistency, depth, and home-court advantage can easily give the Valkyries the edge. That said, Atlanta has the talent to push the series, but Golden State’s ability to win through a collective effort rather than relying on one player could prove decisive. Because of this, it’s likely we’ll see the Valkyries win the WNBA Finals, capturing their first WNBA championship in just their second season, and continuing one of the most remarkable expansion team runs in league history.
