By the top of the 2026 WNBA Finals, one in all two factor can be true:
Both the Golden State Valkyries (32-12) can be topped league champs in solely the group’s second season, or the Atlanta Dream (30-14) — the WNBA’s final growth crew earlier than Golden State joined as franchise No. 13 — will win its first WNBA title.
Forward of one of many extra unlikely WNBA Finals in latest reminiscence, here is our first take a look at among the key components that might determine who comes out on prime.
Elite guard manufacturing
Might one of the best backcourt win.
The Dream and Valkyries are led by excellent guard play, and whichever group greatest flexes its may will give their crew the within monitor to victory.
Via the primary two rounds of the playoffs, Valkyries guard Gabby Williams ranks fifth within the league in factors per sport (22.7) on 44.9/40.5/92 p.c taking pictures splits. The 2026 Defensive Participant of the Yr runner-up has been simply as impactful on that finish of the courtroom. Throughout the gorgeous semifinals sweep of the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces, she and teammates Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes helped restrict Jackie Younger, who ranked second on Las Vegas in scoring through the common, to 14.3 factors per sport on 31.6 p.c taking pictures. Chelsea Grey completed the sequence with solely two extra assists (14) than turnovers (12).
According to Her Hoop Stats data, the Valkyries have held their postseason opponents to a league-low 16 assists per sport whereas forcing the second-highest variety of steals (5.5 per sport). Offensively, Golden State has the second-lowest turnover charge (11.5 p.c) of the playoffs, behind solely the Dream (9.7 p.c).
Guard Jordin Canada is on an unbelievable run. Within the three-game sweep of the New York Liberty, she averaged 22.3 factors, 7.7 assists and two steals per sport on ridiculous .622/.615/1.000 taking pictures splits, choosing up greater than sufficient slack after four-time All-Star Allisha Grey missed the ultimate two video games with a hand harm. With Sport 1 of the Finals not till subsequent Saturday (Oct. 17), she has loads of time to recuperate and be on the courtroom for the opener.
Grey and Canada, together with Rhyne Howard, give the Dream three guards averaging at the very least two steals per sport these playoffs. Via Atlanta’s 5-0 postseason begin, it is pressured a WNBA-best 18.2 turnovers per sport. That development should proceed for the Dream to generate simple fast-break alternatives in opposition to the league’s greatest half-court protection.
Youth vs. expertise within the entrance courtroom
Dream ahead Angel Reese, 24, adopted her latest Defensive Participant of the Yr accolade with an exceptional semifinals. Over her final three video games, she averaged 20.7 factors, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and two steals per sport on environment friendly 47.7/57.1/88.9 p.c taking pictures splits.
Valkyries middle Kiah Stokes, 33, in the meantime, is right here merely for protection. She locked down the paint in opposition to the Aces, ending the sequence averaging 9.5 rebounds and two blocks per sport. No crew took extra photographs within the restricted space than Atlanta through the common season, per Her Hoop Stats, however it could suppose twice with Stokes stalking the rim.
Bench battle
Golden State’s depth edge over Las Vegas was a significant component within the sweep. Over the three video games, its bench outscored Las Vegas’, 88-34. The Valkyries have 9 gamers who’ve appeared in all six playoff video games and averaged at the very least 10 minutes per sport.
Grey’s potential return will assist the Dream fight that benefit. Veteran ahead DeWanna Bonner, 39, has turned again the clock and is averaging 13.2 factors per sport within the playoffs, whereas guard Isobel Borlase has offered helpful minutes and is taking pictures 55 p.c via the primary two rounds. Each want an enormous sequence to chop into Golden State’s numbers benefit alongside the bench.
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