Dream vs. Valkyries: WNBA Finals Start Oct. 17 With a First-Time Champion Guaranteed
Atlanta swept New York and Golden State swept Las Vegas, setting up a best-of-seven Finals that opens Oct. 17 in San Francisco and will crown a first-time champion.
Atlanta is in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013. The fourth-seeded Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83 on Friday night to complete a three-game sweep. Angel Reese scored 22 points and Rhyne Howard added 21, according to the Associated Press.
Their opponent is No. 2 seed Golden State, which swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, winning Friday's clincher in overtime.
Schedule and how to watch
The sources confirm only part of the schedule. The series is a best-of-seven and begins Oct. 17 in San Francisco. They do not list the tip-off time, the dates of later games or the TV channels and streaming services carrying the series. Check the league's official schedule for those details before game day.
Last season was the first with a best-of-seven Finals, and Las Vegas swept Phoenix 4-0. ESPN's analysts say this series could be closer.
How the teams got here
Atlanta hasn't lost in the postseason. It has reached the Finals for the fourth time and was swept in each earlier trip (2010, 2011 and 2013). CBS Sports said the Dream beat the Liberty by winning the margins. They forced 19 more turnovers, scored 41 more points off turnovers and grabbed nine more offensive rebounds.
Jordin Canada had 19 points, 11 assists and no turnovers in the clincher. DeWanna Bonner added 13 points and 13 rebounds. Allisha Gray played only 11 minutes in the Liberty series because of a hand injury.
Golden State is in just its second season, after a first-round exit in 2025. ESPN describes a team built on teamwork, chemistry and depth rather than one marquee star. Aces coach Becky Hammon said of the Valkyries: "They really play great team ball."
What to watch
- Defense vs. defense: The two teams ranked first and second in defense in the regular season. Atlanta has turned forced turnovers into easy points, which Golden State will want to avoid.
- Regular-season history: The Valkyries swept the Dream, the last game on July 4. Golden State center Kiah Stokes called the Finals "a clean slate."
- The coaches: Natalie Nakase and Karl Smesko are both in their second seasons as WNBA head coaches. ESPN calls the matchup intriguing.
What it means for you
If you plan to watch, the only firm date in the sources is Game 1 on Oct. 17. Confirm the tip-off time and your local channel or streaming option on the league's official schedule. The series could run up to seven games, so later dates will depend on how it unfolds.
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Quick answers
When do the WNBA Finals start?
Game 1 is Oct. 17 in San Francisco. It is a best-of-seven series.
Who has home-court advantage?
The sources don't say outright. The series opens in San Francisco, and Golden State is the higher seed, No. 2 to Atlanta's No. 4.
Has either team won a WNBA title before?
No. ESPN notes that whichever team wins, the league will have a first-time champion.
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