Sports · Basketball · 1 day ago
Valkyries sweep Aces to reach first WNBA Finals
The Golden State Valkyries swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA semifinals, winning Friday’s deciding game 87-77 in overtime.
They will meet the Atlanta Dream in the Finals, which begin Oct.
17.
Golden State is only in its second season, after reaching the playoffs in its first year in 2025.
The Valkyries finished this regular season with a 32-10 record and earned the No.
2 playoff seed.
Their success has been built mainly on defense and a deep lineup, rather than one leading scorer.
Atlanta, the No.
4 seed, also advanced after sweeping the New York Liberty and is on a 10-game winning streak.
The Finals are a best-of-seven series, and either team would win its first WNBA title.
The Golden State Valkyries swept the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA semifinals, winning Game 3 by 87-77 in overtime on Friday, Oct. 10, 2026.
The second-year Valkyries became the quickest expansion team to reach the WNBA Finals and will make their first appearance in the championship series.
Golden State will face the Atlanta Dream in the Finals, with the series scheduled to begin Oct. 17 and the Valkyries holding home-court advantage.
The Valkyries finished the regular season 32-10, earning the No. 2 playoff seed after improving by nine wins from their inaugural season.
Their defense was central to the run: CBS Sports reported a 99.1 defensive rating, more than four points per 100 possessions better than any other team.
Gabby Williams led Golden State in the semifinal series with 20.3 points per game, while Kayla Thornton scored 18 points in the series-clinching game, according to ESPN.
- Who
- Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream
- What
- The Valkyries advanced to the WNBA Finals after sweeping the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
- When
- The sweep was completed Oct. 10, 2026; the Finals are scheduled to begin Oct. 17.
- Where
- The deciding game was played in Las Vegas; the Valkyries will host the Finals opener.
- Why
- The Valkyries won the semifinal series 3-0; the articles highlight their defense as a key strength.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I'm telling you right now, we will win a WNBA championship in the first five years of this franchise.
The Golden State Valkyries were officially introduced as the WNBA's first expansion team in more than a decade.
In their inaugural season, the Valkyries won a record 23 games for an expansion team and became the first expansion franchise to make the playoffs in its first season.
Golden State went 32-10, a nine-win improvement on the previous season, and earned the No. 2 playoff seed.
The Valkyries beat the Aces 87-77 in overtime to complete a semifinal sweep and reach the Finals.
The WNBA Finals between the Valkyries and Atlanta Dream are scheduled to begin, with Golden State hosting.
- Semifinal result
- Golden State swept Las Vegas 3-0; Game 3 ended 87-77 in overtime.
- Finals opponent
- Atlanta Dream; the series is scheduled to begin Oct. 17, 2026.
- Regular-season record
- 32-10, good for the No. 2 playoff seed.
- Defensive rating
- 99.1, more than four points per 100 possessions better than any other team, according to CBS Sports.
- Scoring in Game 3
- Kayla Thornton scored 18 points for Golden State, according to ESPN.
Sources
Related news
Warriors and Brandin Podziemski agree to five-year, $110 million extension
Towns disappointed as Knicks pause contract extension talks
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in return from knee injury
Wizards Sign Alondes Williams and Waive Skal Labissiere
ASVEL beats Roanne 96-77 in Tony and TJ Parker’s rematch
Kings center Maxime Raynaud injures right knee in preseason game
Knicks pause extension talks with Towns, Hart and two other players
Atlanta Dream sweep New York to reach WNBA Finals for first time since 2013
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in return as Mavericks beat Rockets in China
Kyrie Irving scores 17 in first game back after ACL injury
LeBron James scores 10 in 76ers preseason debut as team loses to Nets
