For the first time since 2022, the WNBA will crown a first-time champion upon the conclusion of the Finals.
The Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries get the best-of-seven championship series started on Friday night inside the Valkyries’ raucous Chase Center, which will give Golden State a chance to take immediate control of the series.
The Ballhalla factor — along with the Valkyries’ impressive depth — has been cited as a key reason why Golden State will win the 2026 WNBA Finals, according to three of ESPN‘s four experts.
MORE: Dream or Valkyries? WNBA Finals will crown a first-time champion
ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Alexa Philippou and Michael Voepel all have picked the Valkyries to beat the Dream in what may be a long, grueling series.
Andrews and Voepel believe Golden State will need the full seven games to win the championship, while Philippou predicts the series will end in six games.
“(The Dream and the Valkyries) really do look like the best two teams after five months of physically and mentally grueling play. Both have played championship-worthy basketball in the postseason. Both coaches have been impressive in their preparation and adjustments,” Voepel wrote to explain his choice. “This pick is for two things that go Golden State’s way: depth and home-court advantage for the series.”
On NBC’s WNBA Finals media call. Cheryl Miller with a prediction: “There will be no sweeps.”
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) October 14, 2026
The Valkyries, 5-1 in the playoffs, have a historically good defense and can play as many as 11 players thanks to careful roster management.
But one might be hard-pressed to say Golden State has been playing better basketball than Atlanta.
The Dream is a perfect 5-0 in the postseason and has won 10 in a row dating to Aug. 30. With All-Star guard Allisha Gray set to return from a hand injury, Atlanta will return a key cog to its offense — the best Golden State will have seen in the playoffs to date.
Plus, Angel Reese’s reputation as a premium playoff performer is growing with each win.
Reese’s contributions on both ends helped Atlanta squeak past the New York Liberty in Games 2 and 3 of the semifinals to complete a sweep of the 2024 champions. And while the Valkyries’ defense is imposing, the Dream has the literal Defensive Player of the Year as its anchor.
Wittingly or not, ESPN might have just given Reese even more ammunition by picking against her — three times.
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