The 2026 WNBA Finals tip off this Saturday afternoon, and get ready, because we are guaranteed to crown a first-time champion. It’s the Golden State Valkyries squaring off against the Atlanta Dream, and neither franchise has ever hoisted that trophy.
History in the Making, No Matter What
This is huge for both teams. The Valkyries are only in their second season, an expansion team that just debuted in 2025, and they’ve already stormed their way to the Finals. They even knocked out the reigning champion Aces in the semifinals to get here, which is just wild. The Dream, on the other hand, have been here before, hitting the Finals three times in 2010, 2011, and 2013, but they got swept every single time. Talk about wanting redemption, right? They earned their spot by ousting the Liberty in their own semis matchup. So, who’s gonna make history and finally get that ring? Before Game 1, our experts are dropping their picks, and there’s a serious split.
The Regular Season Is a Trap, Don’t Fall For It
Here’s the kicker: the Golden State Valkyries won the regular-season series over the Atlanta Dream, sweeping them 3-0. Yeah, you read that right, a clean sweep! But hold up, don’t let that fool you. Lindsay Gibbs is picking the Dream to win it all in seven games, and her reasoning? That 3-0 record doesn’t tell the whole story. Two of those games were nail-biters, decided in the final minute, and all three meetings happened early in the season, crammed into a 10-day span in late June and early July.
Those three losses for the Dream were part of a rough five-game losing skid back then, leaving them at 12-9 on July 5. But since then? Atlanta has lost only five more games, wrapping up the regular season with an absolutely scorching 18-5 run. Including the postseason, this team has won 10 in a row and 14 of their last 15. The Dream led the league in offense in August and September with a 115.2 rating and were second only to the Valkyries in defense with a 100.8 rating. Both of those numbers are about five-point improvements on their early-season stats. This isn’t the same Dream squad the Valkyries swept way back when, not by a long shot. Jack Maloney, though, he’s still riding with the Valkyries.
Star Power vs. Relentless Defense
It’s tough to pick a winner here, man. Both teams are in incredible form and have been playing like teams of destiny for the past three months. The Valkyries are looking healthier and deeper than the Dream, and they’ve got that crucial home-court advantage. Plus, their defense has been the best in the league all season long. You know what they say, defense wins championships.
But Gibbs is still leaning Dream. Atlanta brings a more potent offense to the table and has an edge on the boards and in the paint. Not to mention, they have two players who already know what it’s like to win a WNBA title in DeWanna Bonner and Jordin Canada. The Allisha Gray injury for Atlanta is a big worry, no doubt, but Gibbs is convinced it’s going to be an epic seven-game series. She’s even manifesting a big defensive play by Angel Reese on the road to seal the championship for the Dream. Game 1 is Saturday, and it’s all on the line.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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