The Golden State Valkyries will be playing for a WNBA title in only their second year of existence after rallying past the Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime on Friday to finish off a three-game sweep of the 2025 champions in the semi-finals.

The Valkyries’ opponent in the WNBA Finals will be the Atlanta Dream, who will also be searching for their first championship after beating the New York Liberty 85-83 to complete their own sweep.

Second-seeded Golden State became the fastest expansion team in WNBA history to advance to the Finals, one season after being the first expansion club to reach the play-offs in its inaugural campaign.

It wasn’t easy, though, as the Valkyries trailed the No. 3 seed Aces by nine points at half-time before tightening their defence and outscoring Las Vegas 17-7 in the third quarter.

Gabby Williams took over for Golden State in overtime, scoring eight of the team’s 16 points, as the Valkyries knocked out a Las Vegas team that won the championship in 2022, 2023 and last season.

The Aces got 21 points and 10 rebounds from A’ja Wilson, one day after she extended her WNBA record with a fifth MVP award and became the first player to capture the honour in three straight seasons.

HISTORY CONTINUES. In our second year, the Golden State Valkyries are heading to the @WNBA finals. See you Saturday, Ballhalla @kpnorcal | 2026 Playoffs https://t.co/voe1aEnNHZ

— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) October 10, 2026

In New York, Angel Reese had 22 points and nine rebounds, Rhyne Howard scored 21, and Jordin Canada added 19 points and 11 assists to help the fourth-seeded Dream get back to the Finals for the first time since 2013.

Atlanta advanced despite playing without leading scorer Allisha Gray for the last two games of the semis.

Gray, who averaged a career-high 19 points during the regular season, suffered a left finger injury in the first quarter of Game 1 and is considered day-to-day.

The four-time All-Star will have time to recover with the best-of-seven Finals not starting until the Valkyries host the Dream on October 17.

Atlanta, which improved to 5-0 in the play-offs after winning its last five regular-season games, has lost all three of its appearances in the Finals (2010, 2011, 2013).

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2013. ATLANTA, WE GOING TO THE FINALS BABY! #AllForAtlanta | @lendistry https://t.co/23IHjJ9lD2

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) October 10, 2026

The Liberty swept the Minnesota Lynx in the first round to become the first No. 8 seed in league history to eliminate the No. 1, but they couldn’t keep it up against the Dream.

Breanna Stewart had 26 points and six assists and Jonquel Jones also scored 26 to go along with 14 rebounds for New York, which won its first WNBA title in 2024 before being ousted in the first round last season.