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WNBA Finals between Valkyries, Dream will be defensive masterclass. Who has the edge?

The WNBA Finals will showcase a clash of two elite defenses as the Golden State Valkyries, who dominated the regular season with the league’s best defensive rating, face the Atlanta Dream, who have led the postseason in that category. The Valkyries, seeded second, swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, with coach Becky Hammon acknowledging their defensive prowess.

Meanwhile, the Dream’s trio of Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Jordin Canada have been the engine of their pesky defense, combining for an average of over 6 steals per game and forcing a league-high 18.2 turnovers per contest in the playoffs. Reese, named the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, has praised her teammates’ contributions, while Howard emphasized the Dream’s aggressive approach to disrupting opponents’ rhythm.

The series, set to begin October 17 in San Francisco, will hinge on which team executes their defensive game plan more effectively, as both squads have proven that strong defense is the key to winning championships.

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