The WNBA is promising something new. Tomorrow, No. 2 Golden State and No. 4 Atlanta open a best-of-seven series guaranteed to yield a first-time league champion.
The Dream enters Saturday’s Game 1 off an unbeaten playoff run, while the Valkyries open their two-game homestand on a 5-1 postseason record.
“It’s not a surprise,” Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said of the 2025 expansion team’s success. “Because [GM Ohemaa Nyanin] picked all these killers, these dogs, these competitive players that want to win.”
Points will come at a premium, as 2026 DPOY Angel Reese leads a steal-savvy Dream squad against the Valkyries’ league-leading defense.
Atlanta has reached the title series three times since its 2008 debut, most recently falling short against Minnesota in 2013.
“I think everybody was hungry to prove how good we could be this year,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said. “And now we have an opportunity to win the championship.”
The 2026 WNBA Finals tip off on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET (NBC).
