Valkyries and Dream Sweep Into WNBA Finals to Set Up Championship Showdown

The WNBA will crown a new champion this month after the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream both finished semifinal sweeps on Friday night, setting up a Finals matchup nobody saw coming at the start of the season.

In Las Vegas, the second-year Valkyries dethroned the defending champion Aces 87-77 in overtime to complete a three-game sweep, becoming the fastest expansion team in league history to reach the Finals. Kayla Thornton scored 18 points and Gabby Williams added 16, including eight in overtime, while former Aces Kiah Stokes (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Tiffany Hayes (11 points) helped sink their old team. Golden State trailed by nine at halftime before a 17-7 third quarter, and after a frantic finish forced overtime, the Valkyries dominated the extra period 16-6.

A'ja Wilson, honored before tipoff for her record fifth MVP award and first three-peat, managed 21 points on 6-of-19 shooting for the Aces, who had won three of the past four championships.

Earlier in the night, the fourth-seeded Dream beat the New York Liberty 85-83 to sweep their series and reach their first Finals since 2013. Angel Reese had 22 points and nine rebounds, Rhyne Howard scored 21 and Jordin Canada added 19 points and 11 assists — all without leading scorer Allisha Gray, sidelined by a finger injury.

Second-seeded Golden State will host Game 1 against Atlanta on October 17 with home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.