2026 WNBA Finals: Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream Preview and How to Watch with DISH

Either the Golden State Valkyries or Atlanta Dream will make franchise history in the 2026 WNBA Finals. Here's a look at the matchup and how to watch with DISH.

The 2026 WNBA Finals will make history no matter who wins. The No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries face the No. 4 Atlanta Dream beginning Saturday, Oct. 17, with both teams looking to capture the first championship in franchise history.

Golden State has wasted no time making its mark on the league. In only their second season, the Valkyries are headed to the Finals after sweeping the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Atlanta took care of business with a sweep of the New York Liberty, earning its first trip to the WNBA Finals since 2013. One team is now four wins away from a long-awaited title. For the other, it would cap one of the fastest rises in league history.
                                                                                                                                 
Here’s a look at the 2026 WNBA Finals matchup, including both teams, players to watch, the complete schedule and how to watch with DISH.

How to Watch the 2026 WNBA Finals With DISH

The WNBA Finals begin on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with the Atlanta Dream visiting the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Games throughout the best-of-seven series will air on NBC and USA Network. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!

2026 WNBA Finals Schedule

Game 1: Atlanta at Golden State — Saturday, Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m. ET — NBC

Game 2: Atlanta at Golden State — Monday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m. ET — USA Network

Game 3: Golden State at Atlanta — Wednesday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. ET — USA Network

Game 4: Golden State at Atlanta — Saturday, Oct. 24, 1 p.m. ET — NBC

Game 5*: Atlanta at Golden State — Monday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m. ET — USA Network

Game 6*: Golden State at Atlanta — Thursday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. ET — USA Network

Game 7*: Atlanta at Golden State — Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. ET — USA Network

*If necessary

No. 2 Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries have gone from expansion team to championship contender in a hurry. In just their second season, Golden State is headed to its first WNBA Finals, becoming the fastest expansion franchise in league history to get there. The Valkyries finished the regular season 32-12 to earn the No. 2 seed, then survived a three-game first-round series against the Dallas Wings before sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.

Head coach Natalie Nakase has built Golden State around defense, depth and a remarkably balanced roster. Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton set the tone on the perimeter, while veteran Kiah Stokes provides a strong presence inside. Kayla Thornton adds experience and toughness, and the Valkyries can turn to a deep bench featuring Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaün.

That depth is a major reason Golden State is still playing. The Valkyries allowed a league-low 75.1 points per game during the regular season while their bench led the WNBA with 35.9 points per game. Both strengths were on display against Las Vegas, including a dominant Game 1 in which Golden State held the Aces to just 60 points. Now the Valkyries have a chance to put the finishing touch on a remarkable second season with the first championship in franchise history.

Golden State Valkyries Players to Watch

Gabby Williams: Williams has been Golden State's biggest difference-maker this postseason, averaging 22.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game entering the Finals. Her ability to contribute on both ends makes the All-Star forward especially important against Atlanta's potent offense.

Veronica Burton: The 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player has emerged as the steady hand in the Valkyries' backcourt. Burton keeps the offense moving with her playmaking while creating problems for opponents with her pressure defense. How well she handles Atlanta's aggressive defense could go a long way toward determining Golden State's success.

Tiffany Hayes: Hayes gives the Valkyries a proven veteran and an important scoring option off the bench. She can knock down shots from the perimeter or get to the basket, adding another dimension to Golden State's deep second unit. In a matchup this evenly balanced, her ability to provide instant offense could be especially valuable.

No. 4 Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream are headed back to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013, looking to finish the job after three previous trips to the championship round without a title. Atlanta went 30-14 during the regular season to claim the No. 4 seed, then swept the Washington Mystics in the first round before doing the same to the New York Liberty. An 85-83 Game 3 win in Brooklyn secured the Dream's spot in the Finals.

Head coach Karl Smesko has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray give Atlanta two dangerous scoring threats on the perimeter, while Jordin Canada directs the offense and applies pressure defensively. Angel Reese has added elite rebounding and defense to a frontcourt that also features veteran Brionna Jones. DeWanna Bonner brings another valuable element: championship experience on a team seeking its first title.

The Dream averaged 91.3 points per game during the regular season, third-best in the WNBA, but their defense can create offense in a hurry. Atlanta led the league with 18.1 points off turnovers per game, consistently turning defensive pressure into opportunities in transition. Reese earned 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors, while Howard set a league record for three-pointers in a season. With scoring options throughout the lineup and an aggressive defense, Atlanta presents a serious test for Golden State's league-best defense.

Atlanta Dream Players to Watch

Angel Reese: Reese has made an immediate impact in her first season with Atlanta, particularly on the boards. The 2026 Defensive Player of the Year became the first player in WNBA history to reach 500 rebounds in a season and has been a consistent double-double threat. She added 22 points and nine rebounds in Atlanta's Game 3 win over New York, and her work inside will be especially important against Golden State.

Rhyne Howard: Howard remains one of the WNBA's premier outside threats, setting a league record for three-pointers made in a season this year. The former No. 1 overall pick scored 21 points in the Dream's series-clinching win over New York and gives Atlanta a scorer capable of changing a game quickly from beyond the arc.

Jordin Canada: Canada gives the Dream a veteran presence at point guard and has delivered on both ends throughout the playoffs. She posted 25 points and five steals in Game 1 against New York before finishing the series with 19 points and 11 assists in Game 3. Her combination of playmaking, pace and defensive pressure will be a key part of Atlanta's attack against the Valkyries.

2026 WNBA Finals Series Odds

Oddsmakers are expecting a close series. The Golden State Valkyries enter the 2026 WNBA Finals as slight favorites at -125 to win the championship, with the Atlanta Dream at +105. With such a narrow gap between the two teams, Vegas sees this as essentially anyone's series.

Series Moneyline: Golden State -125 | Atlanta +105