SAN FRANCISCO: The Golden State Valkyries host the Atlanta Dream at Chase Centre on Saturday for the 2026 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals opener, with both teams seeking their first title.
Tip-off is on Sunday, which is Saturday afternoon in California. NBC and Peacock carry the opener in the United States.
Second-seeded Golden State have home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series against fourth-seeded Atlanta. Golden State have reached the championship round in only their second season.
Atlanta previously reached the Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013 but have yet to win a championship-series game and enter the postseason unbeaten after sweeping the Washington Mystics and the New York Liberty.
Golden State eliminated defending champions Las Vegas Aces in their semi-final sweep. They had beaten Dallas Wings in a three-game first-round series.
During the regular season, the Valkyries won all three meetings with the Dream; the last meeting was on July 4, before Atlanta added DeWanna Bonner in late August. Golden State finished 32-12, while Atlanta finished 30-14.
Coach Natalie Nakase’s Valkyries led the league in regular-season defensive efficiency, with Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton among their key players.
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko’s squad includes Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada in the backcourt. Angel Reese won this season’s Defensive Player of the Year award, with Williams finishing second.
Reese joined Atlanta through an April 6 trade with Chicago Sky. Atlanta sent first-round draft picks in 2027 and 2028 in exchange for the forward.
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Dream guard Allisha Gray completed a full practice on Friday after a left-hand injury, she told USA Today. Her availability remained day-to-day. “It felt good,” she added.
Atlanta will host Games 3 and 4 at State Farm Arena on October 21 and October 24. League officials moved the former from its original October 22 date to accommodate the venue.
The Atlanta Hawks delayed their home opener by 30 minutes to accommodate the basketball doubleheader. Game 2 follows at Chase Centre, with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 am PKT on October 20.
(With input from WNBA.com and Athlon Sports)
