The Golden State Valkyries have already accomplished something no other WNBA expansion franchise has managed. On Saturday night, they have an opportunity to do something even more extraordinary. Golden State hosts the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at Chase Center, with both franchises seeking their first championship.
The deciding game comes less than two years after the Valkyries began their inaugural season.
For a franchise that was still introducing itself to professional basketball fans in 2025, the possibility of raising a championship trophy in 2026 is almost difficult to comprehend. And the most remarkable part of Golden State’s rise is how quickly it has happened.
From expansion team to championship contender
The Valkyries made history during their first season by becoming the first WNBA expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural year. Instead of treating that accomplishment as a long-term building block, Golden State immediately took another step.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS 🚨 Saturday. A winner-take-all Game 7. 🏆 8pm/ET | USA Network & Peacock | #WNBASeason30 https://t.co/B8LdnAFtEG
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 29, 2026
The Valkyries finished the 2026 regular season with a 32-12 record, earning the No. 2 seed and improving by nine victories over their first season. Their defense became the foundation of their success, while their roster depth allowed them to compete against more established teams.
Golden State survived a difficult first-round series against the Dallas Wings before sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. That victory made the Valkyries the only expansion franchise in league history to reach the Finals in its second season.
Now they are one game away from turning that achievement into a championship.
Atlanta has its own remarkable opportunity
The Dream have no intention of becoming a footnote in Golden State’s story. Atlanta forced Game 7 with an 80-69 victory Thursday, using a dominant opening quarter to prevent the Valkyries from celebrating a title on the road.
Allisha Gray scored 23 points, Rhyne Howard added 21 and Angel Reese delivered another double-double. Atlanta led by as many as 25 points before surviving a late Golden State rally.
The Dream are also pursuing their first championship, making the stakes historic regardless of the winner. Golden State’s Gabby Williams scored 26 points in Game 6 and remains a central figure in the Valkyries’ title hopes.
MORE: Sophie Cunningham’s message to women after F1 appearance is about more than height
A championship nobody can take away
The WNBA expanded its Finals to a best-of-seven format in 2025, making Saturday’s contest the first Game 7 in league championship history.
That guarantees a new kind of moment for the league.
For Golden State, a victory would complete a stunning journey from expansion team to champion in two seasons. For Atlanta, it would reward a franchise that has waited years for its first title.
The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network, Peacock and CNBC.
One team will leave Chase Center with a championship. The other will leave knowing it participated in one of the most unusual and consequential Finals in WNBA history.
