Sports · Basketball · 1 day ago
Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries meet in WNBA Finals
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will contest the WNBA championship in a best-of-seven Finals starting Saturday.
Golden State hosts Game 1, backed by its home crowd, as the second-year franchise reaches the Finals for the first time.
Both teams are known as the league’s strongest defensive teams, so the series could be low-scoring.
Atlanta is seeking the first championship in franchise history after three previous Finals defeats and a 10-game winning streak.
The Valkyries reached the Finals by eliminating defending champion Las Vegas, becoming the fastest WNBA expansion team to get there.
Dream forward Allisha Gray, who led Atlanta in regular-season scoring, is a game-time decision for Game 1 after injuring her left ring finger.
Her availability could affect Atlanta’s scoring, and coach Karl Smesko hopes she can play at some point in the series.
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries are set to meet in a best-of-seven WNBA Finals series.
Golden State hosts Game 1 on Saturday, with its home crowd known as “Ballhalla” expected to support the team.
Both teams are described as the WNBA’s top two defensive teams.
Atlanta is seeking the first championship in franchise history after reaching the Finals three times from 2010 to 2013.
Golden State reached the Finals in its second season, becoming the fastest expansion team to do so in the WNBA.
Dream forward Allisha Gray is a game-time decision for Game 1 after injuring her left ring finger.
- Who
- The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries.
- What
- They are meeting in a best-of-seven WNBA Finals series.
- When
- Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday; the sources do not state the calendar date.
- Where
- Golden State hosts Game 1. The venue is not stated.
- Why
- The teams advanced to the Finals after their playoff runs; the sources do not state a further reason.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Atlanta lost in the Finals three times over four years.
Atlanta lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Atlanta began a 10-game winning streak that continued into the Finals.
Golden State eliminated defending champion Las Vegas, while Atlanta swept Washington and New York.
Allisha Gray took part in a light practice and remained a game-time decision.
Golden State is scheduled to host Game 1 of the Finals.
- Series format
- Best of seven
- Game 1
- Saturday; hosted by Golden State
- Atlanta winning streak
- 10 games
- Atlanta steals leaders
- Jordan Canada and Rhyne Howard, 2.2 per game in the postseason
- Allisha Gray regular-season scoring
- 19 points per game
- Golden State’s Finals milestone
- Reached the Finals in its second season
3 sources
What people are saying
We’re the top two in the league, so I think it comes down to just the details and who wants it more.
They like to get in the passing lanes. It’s maybe going to be a game where good offence leads to good defence.
Nobody thought that we would make it to the Finals and we’re doing that, we’re achieving that.
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Ballhalla awaits. ⚔️