The WNBA Finals are set to feature a defensive battle between the league’s two top defensive teams, the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. The best-of-seven series begins Saturday with Game 1 hosted by the Valkyries at their home arena, known as “Ballhalla,” marking the biggest stage yet for the second-year franchise.
Golden State forward Kayla Thornton highlighted the competitive intensity expected throughout the series, noting the emphasis both teams place on defense. The Valkyries and the Dream excel at forcing turnovers, with Atlanta boasting four of the top seven postseason leaders in steals, including Jordan Canada and Rhyne Howard, each averaging 2.2 steals per game. Golden State’s Gabby Williams and Atlanta’s Angel Reese also contribute significantly in this category, averaging 1.7 and 1.6 steals per game respectively.
Both teams are aiming to win the first WNBA championship in their franchise histories. Atlanta reached the Finals three times from 2010 to 2013 but has yet to secure a title. After several seasons of early playoff exits, the Dream come into the series on a 10-game winning streak dating back to before the FIBA Women’s World Cup break. Rookie sensation Rhyne Howard said the team’s goals from earlier in the year are finally materializing. Atlanta’s forward Allisha Gray, the team’s leading scorer in the regular season with 19 points per game and top outside shooter, is recovering from a finger injury suffered during the semifinals and remains a game-time decision for Game 1. Coach Karl Smesko expressed hope that Gray will participate at some stage in the Finals.
The Valkyries reached the Finals faster than any WNBA expansion team, achieving the milestone in just their second season—one year quicker than the Dream did in 2010. Their path to the championship series included a victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. The fast rise draws parallels to other notable expansion successes in professional sports, such as the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights making the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural year and the Chicago Fire capturing the MLS title in their first season. Golden State now has an opportunity to set a modern-era record for the fastest expansion team to win a championship across major North American leagues; the current record is held by the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, who won in their third season in 1971.
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who was part of the Las Vegas Aces’ back-to-back championship coaching staff and an assistant for the U.S. women’s team at the recent FIBA World Cup, emphasized the team’s collective effort and high basketball IQ as key factors. The Valkyries’ roster includes several championship-tested players such as Thornton, who won a title with New York Liberty in 2024; Kiah Stokes, a three-time WNBA champion with the Aces; and Cecilia Zandalasini, a Minnesota champion in 2017. Stokes has been a dominant rebounder this postseason, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game, the highest among players in the Finals.
On the Dream side, DeWanna Bonner, Jordan Canada, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough bring championship experience, each having won WNBA titles with other teams.
Many Golden State players, including Williams, have expressed motivation stemming from perceived undervaluation by previous teams, creating a determined mindset within the Valkyries’ roster. Stokes noted that coach Nakase's straightforward approach demands accountability, fostering an environment where players feel empowered to contribute fully or face consequences.
With both teams relying heavily on defense and experienced personnel, the series is expected to be a tightly contested, potentially low-scoring battle as they vie for their first WNBA championship.