Golden State becomes the first expansion team in WNBA history to reach the Finals in its second season.
The Golden State Valkyries have gone from expansion franchise to WNBA Finals contender in just two seasons.
The Valkyries completed a stunning 3-0 semifinal sweep of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Friday night, winning 87-77 in overtime at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
With the victory, Golden State advanced to the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
And they did it by eliminating one of the league’s most accomplished teams.
From Expansion Team to the Finals
The Valkyries are now the only expansion team in WNBA history to reach the Finals in its second season.
That achievement comes just one year after Golden State became the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season.
The Valkyries finished the 2026 regular season with a 32-12 record, earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. They then defeated the Dallas Wings in three games in the opening round before taking down the Aces in three straight.
Now, they are four victories away from a championship.
The Aces Had No Answer in Overtime
Golden State’s Game 3 victory was anything but easy.
The Valkyries trailed by nine points at halftime and didn’t lead until the third quarter, when they erupted for a 17-0 run.
The defensive surge completely changed the game.
Golden State held Las Vegas without a field goal for more than seven minutes during the run and forced the Aces into 12 consecutive missed shots.
But Las Vegas fought back again in the fourth quarter.
The game was tied at 71 after regulation, sending the series finale into overtime.
That’s when the Valkyries took control.
Golden State outscored Las Vegas 16-6 in the extra period and went 8-for-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch.
Gabby Williams provided the biggest shot of the night, hitting a step-back jumper with 54.7 seconds remaining that essentially ended the Aces’ championship defense.
Thornton Leads a Balanced Attack
Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Williams finished with 16 points and continued her remarkable postseason run. She is averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, four assists and 1.7 steals during the playoffs.
Kiah Stokes also delivered when Golden State needed her most, finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Her defense against A’ja Wilson was particularly important.
The Valkyries didn’t need one player to carry them.
They needed everyone.
That depth has been one of the team’s defining characteristics throughout the postseason.
A Franchise That Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here Yet
There is a temptation to call Golden State’s Finals appearance a surprise.
But at this point, the Valkyries have provided plenty of evidence that this isn’t simply a Cinderella run.
They won 32 games during the regular season.
They earned the No. 2 seed.
They eliminated Dallas.
Then they swept the defending champions.
And they did it while winning the final two games of the semifinal series in dramatic fashion.
The Valkyries have now beaten the Aces three consecutive times, including two victories in games decided by two points or fewer before Friday night’s overtime win.
Now It’s Golden State vs. Atlanta
The Valkyries’ reward is a matchup with the Atlanta Dream.
Atlanta also completed a semifinal sweep Friday night, defeating the New York Liberty 85-83 at Barclays Center.
That means the 2026 WNBA Finals will feature two franchises searching for their first championship.
For Atlanta, it is a return to the Finals for the first time since 2013.
For Golden State, it is the first Finals appearance in franchise history.
And perhaps most remarkably, the Valkyries are attempting to win a championship just two years after the franchise began play.
The Finals Are Set
The Valkyries will have home-court advantage in the best-of-seven championship series.
Game 1 will take place at Chase Center on Saturday, October 17, with Golden State hosting the opening two games.
Atlanta will then host Games 3 and 4.
If necessary, the teams will alternate home courts for Games 5 through 7.
For a franchise that didn’t exist two years ago, the stakes are now as high as they can get.
The Golden State Valkyries are four wins away from a WNBA championship.
Standing in their way is the Atlanta Dream.
The 2026 WNBA Finals are set.
Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream.
Game 1: Saturday, October 17 — Chase Center
Series: Best of seven
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