WNBA Finals 2026 Set, 3 Instant Reactions to Dream vs. Valkyries on the Bracket

The Atlanta Dream qualified for the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013 after completing their three-game semifinal sweep of the New York Liberty with an 85-83 road victory.

Later in the evening, the Golden State Valkyries, in their second season, made the Finals for the first time after knocking the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces out of the playoffs with an 87-77 overtime win to complete their own three-game semifinal sweep.

Here's a look at three instant reactions:

Atlanta Showcases Strength Without Star

Four-time All-Star guard Allisha Gray's importance to this team can't be overstated. The 10-year veteran averaged a team-high 19.0 points on 46.3 percent shooting, started all 44 games and averaged 32.6 minutes per game. Gray also scored 22 points in Games 1 and 2 of the Dream's two-game sweep of the Washington Mystics in the first round.

Unfortunately, Gray suffered a finger injury on her left (shooting) hand in Game 1 of the semifinal series against the Liberty and played just 11 minutes. She missed Game 2 and was questionable for Game 3 before ultimately sitting. A pregame appearance Friday provided some hope.

Her absence certainly cast doubt on the Dream's chances, especially against a talented, star-laden Liberty team that crushed the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in a first-round sweep.

However, Atlanta beat New York 101-98 in overtime in Game 2 and then finished the sweep in Game 3.

In essence, the Dream ran a super-short six-woman rotation, putting DeWanna Bonner in the lineup and then playing the starters as much as they could handle.

It worked.

Angel Reese led Atlanta in scoring (22 points, nine rebounds), Jordin Canada paced the team in assists (13 dimes alongside 19 points) and DeWanna Bonner dominated the boards (13-point, 13-rebound double-double). Rhyne Howard added 21 points, while Isobel Borlase scored 10 off the bench.

The Dream led 51-39 in the third quarter but saw that edge fade. A quick 5-0 run midway through the fourth quarter gave the Dream a 75-71 edge, and Atlanta kept New York at bay from there.

The hope, of course, is that Gray can return soon enough. The good news is that the Finals don't start until next Saturday, so she has seven-plus days to recover. That will be a huge boost for Atlanta, which proved it can persevere without the star in big games. Adding Gray back is a major win, though, especially against the WNBA's best defense.

Golden State Plays Beautiful, Composed Basketball

Golden State was tough, tenacious, aggressive, fierce, and out-hustled and out-worked the Aces in this series, but especially in the Game 3 finale. The Valkyries were down 47-36 in the third quarter but bore down and went on a 17-0 run. The two teams went back-and-forth for the rest of the second half, but overtime arrived after Aces star Chelsea Gray's mid-range jumper went in-and-out at the regulation buzzer.

Golden State didn't flinch in overtime. The Valkyries showcased their brand of basketball, playing perfect defense and making great plays on offense. They executed amazing passes and cuts, hit clutch open shots and just played great team basketball. Golden State ultimately outscored Las Vegas 17-7 in overtime.

The Valkyries' team-first, defensive brand of basketball and great depth showed up. The team with the league's most efficient defense featured 10 players on the court, all of whom played at least seven minutes (seven played 17 or more).

Eight players scored six or more points, led by Kayla Thornton's 18. Active hands led to 12 steals (Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Gabby Williams and Cecilia Zandalasini each had three), and five-time WNBA MVP/Aces center A'ja Wilson shot just 6-of-19. The Aces' backcourt of Gray and Jackie Young committed 11 turnovers.

Head coach Natalie Nakase has done an unbelievable job, and she's earned recognition as one of the best coaches in American professional sports.

The Valkyries showcase their incredible grit, toughness, and chemistry nightly, and they did so again here.

Potentially Epic Series on the Horizon

The first- and second-best defensive teams (by efficiency) will now play in the WNBA Finals.

In one corner, you have the league's deepest team, a squad that has used its tremendous defense, depth, and chemistry to vault itself to the championship round in two short years. The Valkyries will enjoy home-court advantage in this championship series, a huge boost for a team that's gone 21-5 in San Francisco this year (including playoffs).

In the other corner, you have the WNBA's hottest team. The Dream were 13-10 just after the regular season's halfway point, but they've won 22 of their last 26 games, including 10 in a row (14 of 15). Atlanta also crushed teams down the stretch from the back end of the regular season through Game 1 of the semifinals. The Dream's last 13 regular season wins and first three playoff wins (all games Gray played in) were by seven or more points.

Golden State had the major edge in the regular season, sweeping Atlanta 3-0 and winning the games by a combined 19 points (77-66, 78-75, 88-83). However, Atlanta is scorching-hot right now. Presuming Gray is ready for the WNBA Finals, the Dream should give Golden State a great challenge.

A key here, though, is Bonner, who hasn't played Golden State as a member of the Dream. Bonner joined the Dream via free agency after her old team, the Phoenix Mercury, bought out her contract. Atlanta is 10-0 with Bonner on the floor, and her semifinal efforts, sans Gray, clearly helped the Dream advance to the Finals.

Overall, expect a hard-fought classic that goes six or seven games. Here's a look at the schedule:

WNBA Finals (Best-of-7, 2-2-1-1-1 Format)

Saturday, Oct. 17

Game 1 (Atlanta at Golden State): 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

Monday, Oct. 19

Game 2 (Atlanta at Golden State): 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Thursday, Oct. 22

Game 3 (Golden State at Atlanta): 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Saturday, Oct. 24

Game 4 (Golden State at Atlanta): 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock

Monday, Oct. 26

Game 5* (Atlanta at Golden State): 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Thursday, Oct. 29

Game 6* (Golden State at Atlanta): 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Saturday, Oct. 31

Game 7* (Atlanta at Golden State): 8 p.m. ET, USA/Peacock

Games 5-7 will be played if necessary.