The Golden State Valkyries host the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday at 8.30pm, with the series starting at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Golden State went 3-0 against Atlanta during the regular season, most recently winning 88-83 on July 4.
The Valkyries will begin their quest for a WNBA championship in just their second year of existence. Both franchises are seeking their first WNBA title.
Golden State became the first WNBA expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in its inaugural season in 2025. It followed that by reaching the Finals in only its second season, another expansion franchise record.
Valkyries owner Joe Lacob will walk into the Chase Center and feel the energy of the “Ballhalla” home crowd, which is expected to produce a violet-filled sell-out. Lacob promised a championship within the first five years, and now, in only the second year, the Valkyries are playing for one.
“What is truly remarkable is how great our fans are. Our players love it, we love it,” Lacob said.
“It’s great, it’s a cohesion, it’s everybody coming together all at the same time and rooting for something that is new and fresh and it’s timely. And people see it and feel it. What’s going on in that arena is fantastic; it’s remarkable, it’s incredibly fun.
“I love walking in there, my wife, my family, we all love walking in there to the tremendous feeling of camaraderie and togetherness.
“We all, as a team of people, fans, players, organisation – together we’re making history, and we all feel it.”
We felt that we had something worth fighting for
Under Lacob’s leadership, Golden State has built a roster of understated stars under head coach Natalie Nakase
Veronica Burton was cut by Dallas two years ago, while her back-up point guard Kaitlyn Chen was briefly let go by the Valkyries last season before she returned. Kayla Thornton is a 33-year-old undrafted forward out of the University of Texas El Paso who became an All-Star in 2025. Gabby Williams had something to prove in the WNBA after sensing others didn’t believe in her ability. “It feels special because this is a special group,” Williams said. “All we need is each other. “We just need to believe in each other. We know we weren’t a team that was talked about, but just the culture and going to work every day. “We felt that we had something worth fighting for. That’s how we’re going into the finals, with that same mentality – staying together and staying unselfish.” The Valkyries finished the 2026 regular season 32-12 before advancing through the playoffs, including a semi-final victory over defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Atlanta has lost three previous Finals appearances, in 2010, 2011 and 2013, and is hoping to put that history behind it to claim its first championship in franchise history. The first match of the WNBA Finals takes place on Saturday at 8.30pm.