Previewing the 2026 WNBA Finals

The Valkyries are on the cusp of a championship in just their second season of existence. They did warn us, but their ascension came faster than anyone could have anticipated.

▶️ How they got here: Acquiring Gabby Williams in the offseason catapulted Golden State into the title conversation — and they backed it up on the court, vying for the No. 1 seed until the very end of the regular season. The Valks lost just five games at home all year, boosted by the best atmosphere in basketball.

• As for their sophomore postseason appearance, Golden State eliminated the Dallas Wings in a nail-biting Game 3 in the first round, before sweeping the defending champ Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Checking “beat the best” off their to-do list.

👍 Why they’ll win: Valkatraz — watching this team play defense is poetry in motion. Their rotations are stellar, they adapt on the fly, and they play with a sustained tenacity. And perhaps most importantly, they boast the depth to do it all well: Ten players logged at least seven minutes in their Finals-clinching Game 3 win in overtime, and seven played more than 17.

• Golden State’s not-so-secret weapon is head coach Natalie Nakase, whose favorite pastime is watching game film. Ball really is life.

👀 Underrated player to watch: Kiah Stokes. Her inside presence has anchored this stalwart defense throughout the postseason: She’s averaging a formidable two blocks and nearly 10 rebounds a game. Everyone’s invited to this block party.

The goal was crystal clear when Golden State joined the W in 2025: win a title within five seasons. Needless to say, the Valks are trending ahead of schedule thanks to a masterclass in coaching, front office strategy, and brand building.

The Valkyries were intentional with their expansion process. Building a contending squad under the WNBA’s current expansion draft rules (where existing teams can protect their entire starting lineup) feels virtually impossible.

• Expansion teams must be creative to compete, and Nakase’s defense-driven, high-intensity style of play is exactly that. Golden State drafted then–role players that fit that mold (read: Veronica Burton), prioritizing player buy-in and setting a gold standard on defense.

• Then, the team leaned into everything else — from top-tier facilities to fan culture — to create an environment that would attract free agents. That brought Williams to the Bay, a move that elevated the Valks from a playoff team to a genuine title threat.

So how does their ascension compare to expansion teams in other leagues? So glad you asked. A title in their second season would make Golden State the fastest expansion team to reach their sport’s pinnacle, surpassing the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks, who did it in three.

Atlanta spent years knocking on the second-round’s door. Now, the Dream are through to their first Finals in 13 years. Defense, scoring threats, and resolve — here’s how they finally smashed through.

▶️ How they got here: The Dream showed flashes of potential all season but lacked consistency…until the All-Star break. Atlanta’s won 22 of 26 games since mid-July, and that hot streak includes the playoffs, where the Dream have yet to lose.

• Atlanta swept the Washington Mystics in the first round, then busted out the brooms against the perennial powerhouse NY Liberty in the best-of-five semis.

👍 Why they’ll win: The high-risk, high-reward defense that demoralized the Mystics and Liberty. Atlanta forced 38 turnovers in their first two games against a veteran NY squad, flipping those giveaways into 60 points. They love to jump passing lanes, stockpile steals, and make life a genuine, well, nightmare for their opponents.

• The elephant in the room is Allisha Gray’s dislocated finger. The Dream’s leading scorer is day-to-day after surgery — but if she suits up, her mere presence will create more space for Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and the resurgent Jordin Canada to operate in.

👀 Underrated player to watch: Canada, of course. The two-time WNBA champ has been truly spectacular during Atlanta’s playoff run, averaging 19.2 points, 8.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game — all playoff career highs. Small stature, major impact.

Atlanta was the WNBA’s youngest sister for almost 20 years. They joined the league in 2008 and were the W’s newest expansion squad before the present-day franchise boom. Save a short blip, the Dream have been perennial playoff contenders, but they’ve never won.

• To put it bluntly, the last few postseasons have been a recurring nightmare for Atlanta: three straight first-round exits, two of which were best-of-three sweeps. This year was an entirely different story, due in part to the Dream leaning into their acquisition conviction.

Atlanta’s splashy signing of Reese has unquestionably elevated the roster, allowing them to find an identity in their defense. Reese being a revelation for her new team is a film we’ve seen before — but it’s also been a mutually beneficial change of scenery.

• Always a force in the paint, this Barbie has a three-point shot now, forcing teams to defend her on the perimeter and providing opportunities for her teammates to drop buckets.

Then, the Dream doubled down by adding Bonner midseason. The 39-year-old vet filled some of the scoring void after Gray’s untimely injury, while also bringing invaluable playoff experience to an Atlanta core that had struggled to escape the first round.

The right moves at the right time have flipped the script for the Dream, who are playing in their first Finals since 2013. That’s the power of manifestation.