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Game 1 of a historic WNBA Finals sequence begins Saturday afternoon as two franchises hoping to clinch their first title meet in Golden State.
The Valkyries and Dream enter this sequence after sweeping the Aces and Liberty, respectively—a outcome WNBA followers in all probability wouldn’t have expected in early May.
This Finals matchup marks a new chapter in the league as it strikes previous the previous guard, with both squads profitable by embracing position-less basketball, robust protection and well timed 3-point capturing.
Dream vs. Valkyries Game 1 prediction, finest guess
Golden State has become an in a single day sensation, reaching the Finals in the franchise’s second yr and favored at around -115 across a number of books to win the sequence.
It’s ridiculous to fathom they carried 33/1 odds to win it all in the preseason.
They are led by reigning Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase, who spent three seasons as an assistant under Becky Hammon with the Aces. Gabby Williams has embraced the cornerstone function, as the former No. 4 decide and UConn standout is the early Finals MVP favourite (+100).
The Valkyries have been the finest offensive team in the postseason with a 114 score on a slower, methodical tempo of 88.13. Golden State has depth and confirmed gamers in Kayla Thornton, Veronica Burton, Kiah Stokes and microwave scorer Tiffany Hayes.
Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries appears to be like on during Game 3 of the WNBA Semi-Finals against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
They’ve also proven nice resilience, racking up two double-digit wins against the Aces in the semifinals. In Game 3, they trailed 47-36 to Las Vegas before engineering a 17-0 run to take management and punch a ticket to the championship rounds.
Nakase and the Valkyries are also unbeaten (4-0) in the playoffs at the Chase Center.
Atlanta has been sensational all through its playoff run, turning a late regular-season profitable streak into a ten-game domination, and it hasn’t lost a sport since late August.
Karl Smesko, Angel Reese, and firm are 13-2 against the unfold over their last 15 video games. Defensively, they rank atop the playoff leaderboard in steals (10.6) and defensive score (102), and they also boast the WNBA’s finest internet score at +9.6, per WNBA Advanced Stats.
DeWanna Bonner (24) of the Atlanta Dream reacts to a win over the New York Liberty during Semifinals Round 2 Game 3 of the WNBA Playoffs at Barclays Center in Atlanta, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Michelle Farsi for NY Post
The Dream are at their finest when they take care of the basketball, execute offensively, and let Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, and DeWanna Bonner do the relaxation. Gray’s standing stays in query following a lingering hand situation that sidelined her for two video games against the Liberty.
In her absence, Reese elevated her all-around sport and is second in MVP odds (+390).
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Even with a 0-3 regular-season mark against Golden State, Atlanta should preserve its momentum rolling. The Dream blew open Game 1s in their first two playoff sequence and stay undefeated (10-0) with Bonner on the ground.
The veteran wasn’t on the roster for these three head-to-head defeats, and her championship pedigree has given the Dream a main enhance heading into this sequence opener.
THE PLAY: Dream moneyline (+130, BetMGM)
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Mike Turay is a sports activities journalist and editor who carefully follows the NBA, NFL, faculty sports activities and UFC. He has demonstrated experience in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for almost three years. Mike is also extremely educated about the sportsbook provide panorama, incessantly making an attempt and reviewing the newest apps and websites.
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