The Atlanta Dream are headed to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 after a remarkable playoff journey, led by newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese and star guard Rhyne Howard.
They will face the Golden State Valkyries, who swept defending champion Las Vegas Aces to make their first Finals appearance in franchise history.
But as the best-of-seven series approaches, all eyes will be on Angel Reese and the intriguing strategic duels that will unfold this championship season.
Important Plotlines Leading Up to the 2026 WNBA Finals
Just a few months into the Atlanta acquisition in April 2026, Reese crafted her most historic season.
She earned WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, shattered single-season rebounding records and served as the foundation for an undefeated playoff run culminating in a sweep of the New York Liberty in the semifinals.
The Golden State Challenge: The Valkyries are a difficult team to beat. Golden State won all three regular-season contests vs. Atlanta and enters the title round with the league’s best defense.
Star Power on Both Sides: Apart from the impact of Reese and Howard, guards like Jordin Canada for the Dream offer excellent playmaking capabilities.
In comparison, the team from Golden State benefits from rising offensive players such as Gabby Williams, who saw her scoring output double in the postseason, along with experienced depth.
What You Can Anticipate in the Series
While the two teams fight for their first-ever WNBA title, the pressure could not be greater. ESPN’s computer models prefer Golden State slightly, although the Dream’s unrelenting postseason run and defensive toughness leaves this series as a toss-up.
Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals kicks off on Saturday, October 17 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.