Valkyries Make WNBA Finals in Just Second Year — SkimNews
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- Golden State Valkyries open the WNBA Finals on Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco against the Atlanta Dream, marking the first Finals appearance in just their second year of existence — an expansion-franchise record.
- Joe Lacob had promised a Valkyries championship within five years; the team is already playing for one in year two, having gone 32-12 in the 2026 regular season and gone 3-0 against Atlanta, including an 88–83 win on July 4.
- Head coach Natalie Nakase built the Finals roster largely from overlooked talent, including undrafted 33-year-old All-Star Kayla Thornton, Veronica Burton (cut by Dallas two years ago), and Gabby Williams, who felt others had doubted her WNBA ability.
- The Atlanta Dream are 0-3 across three prior Finals appearances in 2010, 2011, and 2013 and are chasing their first WNBA championship in franchise history.
- The Valkyries' playoff path featured a semi-final upset of defending champion Las Vegas Aces, after Golden State became the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural 2025 season.
- Lacob told Sky Sports the Chase Center crowd energy is 'incredibly fun,' saying the team, fans and organization are 'making history' together in what is expected to be a violet-crazed sell-out.
Why it matters: Joe Lacob promised a Valkyries title within five years; the expansion franchise has already reached the Finals in year two, three years ahead of that timeline. Atlanta, meanwhile, is trying to shed an 0-3 Finals record and claim its first championship after losses in 2010, 2011, and 2013 — the only thing standing between Golden State and a ring they weren't supposed to contend for until 2029.
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