Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream sweep their way into the 2026 WNBA Finals
Two sweeps, one night. The Golden State Valkyries finished off the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime in Game 3 on Friday, October 9, 2026, completing a 3-0 sweep of the West semifinals. The same night, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83 to seal their own 3-0 sweep in the East. Golden State and Atlanta now head to the WNBA Finals.
Golden State becomes the fastest expansion team to the Finals
Kayla Thornton led the Valkyries with 18 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 2-of-6 from 3-points. Gabby Williams added 16 points and 3 steals, while Tiffany Hayes and Kiah Stokes each scored 11, with Stokes grabbing 10 boards and blocking 3 shots. A'ja Wilson had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Las Vegas in the loss, Jackie Young scored 18 and Chelsea Gray added 17.
Las Vegas Aces 77 - 87 Golden State Valkyries · WNBA 2026-2027 · 10/10/2026
Leaders
| Las Vegas Aces | Golden State Valkyries | |
|---|---|---|
| PTS | A’ja Wilson 21 | Kayla Thornton 18 |
| REB | A’ja Wilson 10 | Kiah Stokes 10 |
| AST | Chelsea Gray 5 | Veronica Burton 4 |
Team stats
| Las Vegas Aces | Golden State Valkyries | |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 38.2% | 40.5% |
| 3PTS | 7/20 | 7/24 |
| FT | 18/22 | 20/22 |
| REB | 35 | 43 |
| OREB | 6 | 10 |
According to WNBA.com, the Golden State Valkyries "became the quickest expansion team to reach the WNBA Finals, sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime Friday." It's just the franchise's second season of existence, and its first-ever trip to the Finals, under head coach Natalie Nakase. Golden State took the series 71-60, then 83-81, before closing it out in the extra period Friday.
Atlanta reaches its first Finals since 2013
For Atlanta, Angel Reese scored 22 points. Rhyne Howard added 21 points on 4-of-10 shooting from deep, Jordin Canada put up 19 points with 11 assists, and Dewanna Bonner grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 13 points. For New York, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones each scored 26, with Jones adding 14 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Sabrina Ionescu chipping in 12 points.
New York Liberty 83 - 85 Atlanta Dream · WNBA 2026-2027 · 09/10/2026
Leaders
| New York Liberty | Atlanta Dream | |
|---|---|---|
| PTS | Breanna Stewart 26 | Angel Reese 22 |
| REB | Jonquel Jones 14 | Dewanna Bonner 13 |
| AST | Breanna Stewart 6 | Jordin Canada 11 |
Team stats
| New York Liberty | Atlanta Dream | |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 43.5% | 40.6% |
| 3PTS | 9/29 | 7/20 |
| FT | 20/21 | 22/24 |
| REB | 29 | 33 |
| OREB | 8 | 9 |
USA Today reported that "for the first time since 2013, the Dream are going to the Finals" after the 85-83 sweep-clinching win. WNBA.com noted that Atlanta reached the Finals "for the first time since 2013 with a 22-point effort." Atlanta took the series by scores of 92-82 and 101-98 before closing it out at Barclays Center.
A finals matchup pairing a newcomer with a franchise back on the big stage
The 2026 WNBA Finals will pit the Valkyries against the Dream, and the contrast is stark. Golden State is making its first-ever Finals appearance in just the franchise's second season of existence, already tagged by WNBA.com as the quickest expansion team to reach the championship round. Atlanta, meanwhile, is getting back to the Finals for the first time since 2013, per USA Today. One team is writing its history from scratch, the other is reconnecting with a chapter that hasn't been open in 13 years.
Las Vegas and New York see their title bids end in sweeps
Las Vegas entered the playoffs as the defending champion, having won its third title in four years in 2025. That run is now over, with the Aces falling 3-0 to Golden State in the West semifinals. New York's season ended the same way, swept 3-0 by Atlanta in the East semifinals. Both the Aces and the Liberty are now out of the 2026 playoffs, their seasons finished as Golden State and Atlanta move on to face each other for the championship.
Comments (0)