Golden State Valkyries Advance to WNBA Finals After Semifinal Sweep
The Golden State Valkyries have made history by advancing to the WNBA Finals in just their second season after defeating the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. The decisive victory came on Friday with an 87-77 overtime win in Game 3, allowing the Valkyries to secure their place in the finals against the Atlanta Dream, starting on October 17.
Initially introduced as the WNBA's first expansion team in over a decade on October 5, 2023, the Valkyries set a record for wins by an expansion team in their inaugural season. Despite facing challenges in the offseason and entering the 2026 season with low expectations, the team excelled, finishing with a 32-10 record and securing the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
The Valkyries' success has been largely attributed to their formidable defense, which recorded a 99.1 defensive rating, significantly outperforming other teams. In the semifinal series, they effectively contained key Aces players, leading to a dramatic comeback in the final game. Gabby Williams emerged as a standout performer, averaging 20.3 points in the series, contributing to the team's overall performance despite offensive struggles.
