The Atlanta Dream haven’t been to the WNBA Finals since 2013.. and now they’re facing a team that didn’t even join the league until LAST YEAR.
Atlanta reached the Finals three times between 2010 and 2013 and lost all three. Thirteen years later, they’re finally getting another shot. Meanwhile, the Golden State Valkyries made the playoffs in their very first season and are playing for a championship in Year TWO. Their fans haven’t even had time to develop the proper amount of sports trauma!
And look at how these teams got here. The Dream swept the 2024 champion New York Liberty, finishing them off 85-83 behind Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard. Golden State swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, winning Game 3 in overtime ON THE ROAD. Two of the league’s most recent champions just got sent home without winning a single semifinal game.
Now we’re guaranteed a first-time WNBA champion, and I LOVE the contrast here. If Atlanta wins, that’s 13 years of waiting finally paying off. If Golden State wins?.. Good luck explaining to Valkyries fans that you’re not SUPPOSED to make the WNBA Finals every other season.
Imagine waiting over a decade for another championship opportunity, only to find a two-year-old franchise standing in your way. That’s a pretty awesome matchup!
