The Golden State Valkyries will begin their quest for a WNBA championship in just their second year of existence against Atlanta Dream.
This year’s Finals, which begins on Saturday in San Francisco, brings together two franchises seeking their first WNBA titles.
Golden State became the first WNBA expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season in 2025 and followed that by reaching the Finals in only their second season, another expansion franchise record.
Valkyries owner Joe Lacob will walk into the Chase Center and feel the energy and vibe of the Valkyries’ “Ballhalla” home crowd in what will be a violet-crazed sell-out.
Lacob promised a championship within the first five years and now in 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 Natalie Nakase, who was hired as the first head coach for the Valkyries in October 2024.
Veronica Burton got 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.
That’s not the case anymore.
“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, who have lost three previous Finals appearances in 2010, 2011 and 2013, are hoping to put the memory behind them to claim their first championship in franchise history.
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