The Golden State Valkyries will compete against the Atlanta Dream in the 2026 WNBA Finals, marking a historic moment as one of the teams will secure its first championship title. Both teams reached the Finals after impressive semifinal sweeps, with the Valkyries defeating the Las Vegas Aces and the Dream overcoming the New York Liberty.
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Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m. ET in San Francisco, with the series following this schedule:
Series Schedule: (2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (4) Atlanta Dream
Game 1: @ Golden State — Saturday, Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Game 2: @ Golden State — Monday, Oct. 19, 8:00 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
Game 3: @ Atlanta — Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8:00 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
Game 4: @ Atlanta — Saturday, Oct. 24, 1:00 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
Game 5*: @ Golden State — Monday, Oct. 26, 8:00 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
Game 6*: @ Atlanta — Thursday, Oct. 29, 8:00 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
Game 7*: @ Golden State — Saturday, Oct. 31, 8:00 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC
Games 1, 2, 5*, and 7* will take place at Chase Center in San Francisco, while Games 3 and 4 will be held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Game 6's location is to be determined.
The Golden State Valkyries secured their spot in the Finals following a solid regular season where they finished with a 32-12 record, marking a significant improvement from their inaugural season. They overcame the Dallas Wings in the first round and then swept the Aces in the semifinals, with notable performances from Kayla Thornton and Gabby Williams.
On the other hand, the Atlanta Dream concluded the regular season with a franchise-best 30-14 record, bolstered by stars such as Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and newcomer Angel Reese. They swept the Washington Mystics in the first round and followed with a semifinal sweep of the Liberty.
In their regular season encounters, the Valkyries outperformed the Dream 3-0, highlighting the challenges Atlanta faces in the Finals. Their last match was in early July.
As both teams prepare for the Finals, several key storylines will play a crucial role in determining the outcome:
1. A first-time WNBA champion will emerge, with both teams previously unsuccessful in title pursuits.
2. Elite defenses are anticipated to clash, with Atlanta's Angel Reese earning Kia Defensive Player of the Year.
3. Clutch performances will be vital, given the close nature of their previous encounters.
4. The reliance on starters versus bench depth may influence game outcomes, with Golden State relying heavily on its reserves.
5. The health status of Gray, who is recovering from a hand injury, could be pivotal in Atlanta's performance.
As the Finals approach, both teams are poised for a competitive and historic matchup.