Golden State Valkyries to host Atlanta Dream in WNBA Finals opener
The best-of-seven series begins Saturday in San Francisco, with both teams seeking their first championship and Atlanta carrying a 10-game winning streak.
The Golden State Valkyries will host the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time at Chase Center in San Francisco. The best-of-seven series will give one of the franchises its first league title.
Golden State reached the Finals in its second season, after debuting as an expansion team in 2025. Atlanta is back for the fourth time; its previous Finals appearances, in 2010, 2011 and 2013, all ended in sweeps. ESPN reported that the Valkyries swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, while the Dream swept the New York Liberty.
Golden State’s sweep meets Atlanta’s winning streak
The Valkyries won all three regular-season meetings with the Dream. Their most recent game was an 88-83 Golden State victory on July 4, when Veronica Burton scored 21 points and Allisha Gray scored 22 for Atlanta, according to the Associated Press. CBS Sports reported that the three meetings fell within 10 days in June and July and that two were decided in the final minute.
Atlanta’s form has changed since then. CBS Sports reported that the Dream finished the regular season on an 18-5 run and have won 10 consecutive games, including the postseason. Golden State went 8-2 over its last 10 games, according to the AP. The wire report lists the Valkyries at 17-5 at home and the Dream at 15-7 on the road.
Defense and player availability before Game 1
ESPN ranked Golden State first and Atlanta second in regular-season defensive rating. The AP lists Burton at 12.2 points, 5.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game for the Valkyries, and Angel Reese at 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game for the Dream. Those figures put two of the teams’ regular contributors in focus as the series opens.
Gray’s status remains a question for Atlanta. ESPN reported that the Dream guard played only 11 minutes in the first semifinal game because of an injury to her left shooting hand and said she was day-to-day after a recent procedure. Her availability for Saturday’s opener was not settled in that account.
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Sources and context
- Valkyries hosts Atlanta to start WNBA FinalsAssociated Press, republished by Yahoo Sports
- 2026 WNBA Finals predictions: Expert picks for Valkyries vs. Dream as each team seeks first titleCBS Sports
- WNBA Finals guide: Dream-Valkyries predictions and how each team could winESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.