2026 Finals

The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will meet in the 2026 WNBA Finals, with a first-time WNBA champion set to be crowned as each team seeks its first title in franchise history.
To get here, Golden State and Atlanta knocked off the last two WNBA champions — the Valkyries dethroned the reigning champion Aces, while the Dream ousted the 2025 champion Liberty — in semifinal sweeps.
Before Game 1 tips off in San Francisco on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock), let’s take a closer look at each team’s path to the Finals and examine five key storylines that could determine which team will be showered in confetti after four wins.
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<h2>Series Schedule: (2) Golden State Valkyries vs. (4) Atlanta Dream</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600301">Game 1</a>: @ Golden State — Saturday, Oct. 17, 3:30 pm ET, NBC/Peacock</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600302">Game 2</a>: @ Golden State — Monday, Oct. 19, 8:00 pm ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600303">Game 3</a>: @ Atlanta — Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8:00 pm ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600304">Game 4</a>: @ Atlanta — Saturday, Oct. 24, 1:00 pm ET,  NBC/Peacock</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600305">Game 5</a>*: @ Golden State — Monday, Oct. 26, 8:00 pm ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600306">Game 6</a>*: @ Atlanta — Thursday, Oct. 29, 8:00 pm ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400"><a href="https://www.wnba.com/game/1042600307">Game 7</a>*: @ Golden State — Saturday, Oct. 31, 8:00 pm ET, USA/Peacock/CNBC</li>
</ul>
Games 1, 2, 5* &amp; 7* will be played at Chase Center in San Francisco, CA
Games 3 &amp; 4 <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-finals-games3-and-4-to-be-played-at-state-farm-arena">will be played at State Farm Arena</a> in Atlanta, GA
Game 6* venue TBD
*if necessary
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<h2>How They Got Here: Golden State Valkyries</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-272628" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2298892362-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2298892362-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2298892362-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2298892362-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2298892362-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2298892362-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2298892362-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
Regular Season: After becoming the first expansion team to qualify for the WNBA Playoffs in 2025 as a No. 8 seed, the Valkyries finished as the No. 2 seed in Year 2 of their existence. Powered by the league’s top-ranked defense and its standout depth, 
Golden State finished 32-12, making a nine-win leap over its historic inaugural season.
First Round: The Valkyries went the distance with the Dallas Wings, clinching the series with a 77-73 victory in a win-or-go-home Game 3 by overcoming a 16-point deficit. Gabby Williams (19 points) and Tiffany Hayes (18 points) led the rally, while the Valkyries’ stifling defense held Dallas to a series-low 73 points, helping Golden State win its first-ever playoff series. Golden State’s win, combined with No. 1 Minnesota’s first-round exit, gave the Valkyries home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Semifinals: Entering their Semifinal matchup, Golden State had lost six straight games to Las Vegas, with an all-time 1-6 record against the defending champs. The Valkyries finished their Semifinals series on a three-game win streak over the Aces as they swept the series to advance to their first-ever WNBA Finals. Kayla Thornton (18 points) and Williams (16) combined for 34 points in the series-clinching win, while Kiah Stokes did it all (11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 100% FG) against her former team, where she won three titles. After serving on Becky Hammon’s staff for two of Las Vegas’ championship seasons, Natalie Nakase defeated her former boss in their first head-to-head playoff matchup.
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<h2>How They Got Here: Atlanta Dream</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-272629" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2299370385-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2299370385-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2299370385-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2299370385-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2299370385-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2299370385-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2299370385-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
Regular Season: For the second straight year, the Dream closed out the regular season on a hot streak, posting a franchise-best 30-14 record and earning a top-four playoff seed. Led by the All-Star trio of Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and newcomer Angel Reese, the Dream were a force on both ends of the court, finishing third in scoring offense (91.3 points per game) and fourth in scoring defense (84.5 points per game allowed).
First Round: Facing a young Washington team, Atlanta overcame an early 11-point deficit in Game 1 with a dominant second half and didn’t look back. The Dream never trailed in Game 2 as they completed the sweep to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2018.  Gray (22.0 ppg) and Howard (20.5 ppg) provided the scoring punch, Jordin Canada (10.5 apg) directed the offense, and DPOY Reese (9.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg) controlled the boards while sparking a defense that averaged 13 steals in the series.
Semifinals: In 2024, the Liberty swept the Dream in the First Round en route to winning their first WNBA title. Two years later, the Dream returned the favor, sweeping New York in three games to reach the WNBA Finals for the fourth time overall, and the first since 2013, as they continue to chase their first WNBA title. Although the Dream swept, all three games came down to clutch time. Atlanta went 9-6 in such games during the regular season, but won all three against New York in the Semifinals. With Gray limited to one game, Canada stepped up her offense, led by 22.3 points per game on 62.2% shooting during the series.
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<h2>Regular Season Series: Golden State won 3-0</h2>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 24: Valkyries 77, Dream 66 (at Golden State)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">June 26: Valkyries 78, Dream 75 (at Golden State)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">July 4: Valkyries 88, Dream 83 (at Atlanta)</li>
</ul>
The Valkyries swept the regular-season series 3-0, accounting for three of the Dream’s losses during their season-long five-game skid. The three games spanned only 11 days, from June 24 to July 4, so Game 1 of the Finals will be their first meeting in over three months.
Williams (19.3 ppg, 2.0 spg) and Veronica Burton (13.0 ppg, 2.3 spg) led the way for Golden State, while holding the Dream’s high-powered offense (which ranked sixth all-time at 91.3 ppg) to just 74.7 points per game—seven fewer than Atlanta averaged against any other opponent. 
Keep in mind that all three games came before the Dream added DeWanna Bonner at the end of August. After averaging just 8.6 points in her first five games in Atlanta to close out the regular season, Bonner’s production has leaped to 13.6 ppg. The two-time champion continues to fill the box score with her all-around game while imparting playoff experience to her new teammates.
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<h2>Five Key Storylines To Watch</h2>
<h3>1. A new champion will be crowned</h3>
This marks only the eighth time in the league&#8217;s 30-year history that the Finals will feature a matchup between two teams both still seeking their first WNBA championship.
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">2022 &#8211; Las Vegas vs. Connecticut</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">2019 &#8211; Washington vs. Connecticut</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">2011 &#8211; Minnesota vs. Atlanta</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">2005 &#8211; Sacramento vs. Connecticut</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">2004 &#8211; Seattle vs. Connecticut</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">2001 &#8211; Los Angeles vs. Charlotte</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">1997 &#8211; Houston vs. New York</li>
</ul>
But before either team can win its first title, it must first win its first WNBA Finals game. While this is Golden State’s first time on the championship stage, Atlanta has reached this pinnacle three times before, only to be swept each time: 2010 vs. Seattle; 2011 and 2013 vs. Minnesota. 
The Dream’s fourth title opportunity comes as they ride a franchise-best 10-game winning streak dating back to the regular season. The Valkyries aren’t far behind, going 8-2 in their last 10 games. But now, all that matters is what happens over the next four to seven games.
<h3>2. Defense, defense and more defense</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-272630" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2284394016-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="675" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2284394016-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2284394016-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2284394016-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2284394016-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2284394016-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2284394016-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
On Oct. 1, Atlanta’s Angel Reese was named Kia Defensive Player of the Year, earning the honor for the first time in her career in her debut season with the Dream. The runner-up: Golden State’s Gabby Williams. Also receiving votes: Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard and Golden State’s Veronica Burton. That means four of the six DPOY vote-getters will be featured in these Finals.
The Valkyries led the league in defense all season, posting a defensive rating of 99.1, while the Dream finished third at 103.5. However, during the playoffs, that pecking order reversed—the Dream hold the postseason’s top defensive rating (102.0), while the Valkyries rank second (104.1).
The Dream generate more steals than any team in the WNBA (a league-high 9.1 per game during the regular season and 10.4 in the playoffs) and utilize those steals to fuel their offense (18.1 points off turnovers in the regular season and a whopping 24.4 in the playoffs). Individually, Howard, Canada and Reese finished as the top three players in steals per game this season, with Howard and Canada tied for first during the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Valkyries are simply the hardest team to score against, holding opponents to a league-low 47.8 effective field goal percentage in the regular season and 48.8% in the playoffs. The Valkyries contest shots all over the floor, with Burton and Williams hounding opponents on the perimeter and Kiah Stokes protecting the rim, ranking fourth in blocks (1.7 per game).
With two elite defenses facing off, the chess match as the coaches look for ways to generate scoring chances will be fascinating to watch over the course of the series.

<h3>3. Clutch time will be key</h3>
With two of their three regular-season meetings being decided by five points or less, expect numerous games in this Finals to come down to the wire. Whichever team executes down the stretch as the stakes rise with every possession will likely hoist the trophy at the end of the series.
During the regular season, Atlanta was the superior team in clutch games overall — a 9-6 record compared to Golden State’s 9-9 mark. However, the Valkyries beat Atlanta in two of the Dream’s six clutch losses, winning both by five points or less. 
Both teams have delivered in clutch moments in the playoffs, with Atlanta 3-0 in such games and Golden State right behind them at 3-1.
For the Valkyries, Williams has had the ball in her hands most often when the game is on the line this postseason. She has a 41.1% clutch usage rate and leads all players with 25 total clutch points on 38.9% shooting (7-for-18). Burton has added 10 clutch points, including a huge go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing minute of Game 2 of the Semifinals against Vegas.
For the Dream, Howard leads the team in clutch usage (30.0%), scoring 12 points on nine attempts in 16 minutes, but Reese has been lights out down the stretch. Reese has 14 total clutch points on 5-for-6 shooting and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Reese has boosted her free-throw percentage to 87.1% in the playoffs, up from 72.1% during the season.

<h3>4. Starters vs. Bench</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-272632" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2283609392-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2283609392-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2283609392-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2283609392-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2283609392-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2283609392-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/10/GettyImages-2283609392-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
At this year’s WNBA All-Star Game, the Dream were one of three teams to feature a trio of All-Stars, as the league&#8217;s coaches voted in Gray, Howard, and Reese. Meanwhile, Williams was the Valkyries player selected, becoming the first player in franchise history to be named an All-Star starter.
These selections reflect a key difference in team philosophy and roster construction between the Dream and Valkyries. The teams finished the regular season as opposites in average minutes played by their starters—Atlanta led the league (31.2 mpg), while Golden State finished last (24.1 mpg). While the Dream leaned heavily on its starters, the Valkyries relied on their depth. 
The Dream ranked third in starters’ points (73.4) and 14th in bench points (17.9), while the Valkyries ranked 15th in starters’ points (46.3) and first in bench points (35.9). The disparity between starters and bench for Atlanta was 55.5 points per game, compared to just 10.4 for Golden State.
Among players who appeared in at least 20 games off the bench, Golden State featured three of the top eight scorers: Sixth Player of the Year Janelle Salaun (12.7 ppg, 1st), Tiffany Hayes (8.9 ppg, 3rd) and Kaitlyn Chen (7.2 ppg, 8th).
<h3>5. Allisha Gray’s availability</h3>
Speaking of starters, the Dream played without starting guard Gray for the final two games of their Semifinals sweep after she suffered a left-hand injury in the first half of Game 1 against New York.
Atlanta proved it could win without its regular-season leading scorer (19.0 ppg), but against Golden State’s stingy defense, getting Gray back at some point in the series could be a game-changer. Keep in mind that Gray is a lefty, so this injury directly affects her shooting hand.
The latest update on Gray’s status for the series came Tuesday, when she told WSB-TV at practice that she underwent a minor hand procedure and is considered day-to-day with Game 1 approaching on Saturday.
&#8220;Progress is great,&#8221; Gray said when asked if she would play in Game 1. &#8220;As of right now, just day-to-day, and you&#8217;ll see.&#8221;

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2026 WNBA Finals Preview: Golden State vs. Atlanta

The stage is set for the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. Both teams are looking for their first championship.
In just their second season as a WNBA franchise, the Valkyries enter the WNBA Finals as slight favorites over the Dream at BetMGM. Golden State is -115, implying a 53.49% chance.
Atlanta, meanwhile, is -105, implying a 51.22% chance. The Dream lost in the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011, and 2013 since becoming a franchise in 2008.
Given how the <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/wnba/wnba-championship-odds-bm23/">WNBA championship odds</a> market has unfolded over the past 12 months, a Valkyries-Dream matchup was unexpected. Golden State opened at +3500 last October, while Atlanta started at +1400.
The Las Vegas Aces, who the Valkyries swept in the semifinals, opened as +300 favorites when BetMGM first released this market. The Minnesota Lynx, who were swept in the first round, later became the offseason favorites. The New York Liberty, swept by the Atlanta Dream in the semifinals, entered the year as +210 favorites.
New York started the regular season ahead, but Minnesota eventually took the top spot. The Lynx began the playoffs as +100 favorites entering Round 1.
In terms of betting interest, the Valkyries received the fourth-most bets (10.5%) to win the championship at BetMGM. The Dream ranked fifth at 7.5%. The Indiana Fever commanded the most tickets at 25.1%.
BetMGM also offers a <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/wnba/wnba-finals-mvp-odds-favorites-bm23/">WNBA Finals MVP odds</a> market that will be updated throughout the series. 
Valkyries wing Gabby Williams begins as a strong favorite, with her +100 odds translating to an implied probability of 50%. Atlanta players Angel Reese (+400), Allisha Gray (+600), Rhyne Howard (+650), and Jordin Canada (+1000) are all behind Williams.
The best-of-seven series begins with Game 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco on NBC and Peacock. Golden State is a 2.5-point favorite in the opener, with the total trading at 153.5.
Visit the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season for updated WNBA futures, including <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports/basketball-7/betting/usa-9/wnba-402">WNBA Finals odds</a>. You can also view updated <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/latest-sports-betting-promotions-offers-betmgm-2/">sportsbook promos</a>, including a First Bet Offer for eligible new customers.

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Valkyries Enter WNBA Finals as Slight Favorites Over Dream

NEW YORK, Oct. 13, 2026 – Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, the WNBA announced today.
Game 3, originally scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 22, will now be played on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8:00 p.m. ET and will air on USA Network and CNBC and stream on Peacock.
Game 4 will remain on Saturday, Oct. 24, with tip-off moving to 1:00 p.m. ET from 3:30 p.m. ET. That game will still air on NBC and stream on Peacock.
To accommodate the Dream on Oct. 24, the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks have agreed to move the start time of their regular-season home opener that evening. The Hawks will now host the Houston Rockets at 8:30 p.m. ET instead of 8:00 p.m. ET.
“We are grateful for the efforts made by numerous stakeholders, including the Dream, the Valkyries, the Hawks, State Farm Arena, and NBC Sports and USA Sports,” said Cathy Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner. “The change of venue dramatically expands the seating capacity and ensures that the Dream will be able to provide an extraordinary atmosphere for the first WNBA Finals game to be played in the Atlanta market since 2013. We are pleased that thousands more fans across the Southeast region will have the opportunity to experience the ultimate WNBA action – the WNBA Finals – in person.”
“This is what the players and the fans deserve,” said Larry Gottesdiener, Atlanta Dream majority owner. “We are grateful to all of the stakeholders who worked together to resolve the conflicts and make this happen.”
“We are thrilled that we will be able to accommodate the Dream as they host Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. Playing for a championship is special, and we want the Dream to feel the full support of the city during this amazing run,” said Andrew Saltzman, President of Business Enterprise and Chief Commercial Officer of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena.
The best-of-seven WNBA Finals, which follow a 2-2-1-1-1 format, tip off at Chase Center in San Francisco, where the No. 2-seed Valkyries will host the No. 4-seed Dream in Game 1 on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock and Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on USA Network, CNBC, and Peacock.
Tickets for Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals will go on sale to the general public Friday, Oct. 16, at 10:00 a.m. ET at <a href="https://dream.wnba.com/">atlantadream.com</a>.
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Latest2026 Finals

2026 WNBA Finals Preview: Golden State vs. Atlanta

Valkyries Enter WNBA Finals as Slight Favorites Over Dream

WNBA Finals Games 3 and 4 to be Played October 21 and October 24 at State Farm Arena