2026 WNBA playoffs bracket, schedule: Valkyries and Dream advance to WNBA Finals with semifinal sweeps

The Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries will square off in the 2026 WNBA Finals. The Dream and Valkyries both completed semifinal sweeps on Friday night. Atlanta knocked out the New York Liberty, while Golden State ousted the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces. The 2026 WNBA Finals are set to begin on Oct. 17. Neither the Dream nor the Valkyries has ever won a WNBA championship. It's Atlanta's first Finals appearance since 2013. It's the first for the Valkyries, who are just in their second season as a franchise after debuting as an expansion team in 2025.