The WNBA will have a first-time champion this season.
The Atlanta Dream are making their first Finals appearance since 2013, while the Golden State Valkyries advanced to the championship series in just their second year of existence.
Here's how the two sides stack up before the Finals begin Saturday at the Chase Center.
Atlanta Dream
How they got here
Record: 30-14 (4th in WNBA standings)
First Round: Dream 2, Mystics 0
Semifinals: Dream 3, Liberty 0
Featured player: Angel Reese
Atlanta already had a solid core of Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Jordin Canada. But acquiring Reese from the Chicago Sky in the offseason has finally produced postseason success for the Dream following three straight first-round exits.
Reese brought her trademark grit and relentlessness on the glass, leading the WNBA in rebounds and double-doubles for the third consecutive season. The Maryland native averaged a career-high 16.4 points and served as a playmaking hub at times. She's even flashed some range during the playoffs, connecting on 38.5% of her treys.
Reese made an even greater impact on the opposite end of the floor, anchoring the Dream's second-ranked defense with her versatility, quick hands, and elite anticipation. Atlanta surrendered 7.9 fewer points per 100 possessions with Reese on the court. The LSU standout earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and continues to be a disruptive force in the postseason, tallying 2.2 blocks and 1.6 steals per contest.
Biggest strength: Two-way balance
The Dream's plethora of two-way threats propelled them to a top-five finish in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Atlanta leading scorer Gray was ninth league-wide with a career-high 19 points per contest and 10th in triples (81). Howard drilled the second-most threes (134) to finish just one shy of Kelsey Mitchell's single-season WNBA record. Canada continues to be a premier playmaker, averaging a personal-best 7.3 assists. Reese led her peers in second-chance points (181) and placed fifth in points in the paint (474).
Howard, Canada, and Reese were first, second, and third, respectively, in total steals, while Gray tied for 13th. Their collective ability to force miscues helped Atlanta top all teams in points off turnovers (18.1) and finish second in fast-break points (11.9). It's been the same story in the playoffs: The Dream pace the field in points off turnovers (24.4) and steals (10.4). Atlanta's two-way prowess gives the team multiple avenues to victory.
X-factor: DeWanna Bonner
When it comes to the postseason, there's no player as battle-tested as Bonner. The 17th-year wing has logged the most minutes and rebounds in WNBA playoff history. Only Diana Taurasi has recorded more postseason points and 3-point field goals. Bonner's scoring punch off the bench, defensive versatility, and championship experience have been important in the club's pursuit of its first title.
Reason for concern: Gray's health
Gray hasn't played since injuring her left hand against the New York Liberty in the semifinal opener. The four-time All-Star had the last two fingers of her shooting hand taped as she went through warmups for Game 3 before being ruled out. After nearly two weeks on the sidelines, there's a good chance Gray will be cleared for Game 1 of the Finals, but how long will it take to get her up to speed? Although Bonner has performed well in Gray's absence, moving the veteran into the starting lineup leaves the Dream's bench a bit thin, especially with Brionna Jones done for the year.
Golden State Valkyries
How they got here
Record: 32-12 (2nd in WNBA standings)
First Round: Valkyries 2, Wings 1
Semifinals: Valkyries 3, Aces 0
Featured player: Gabby Williams
Entering the Valkyries' second season, perhaps their biggest question was who they'd call on when they needed a big basket. While Williams wasn't the No. 1 option at UConn or any of her previous WNBA stops, she's embraced a lead role in Golden State. Williams' crunch-time heroics against the Dallas Wings in Game 3 of the opening round earned her the nickname "Big Shot Gabby" from teammate Tiffany Hayes. She came through again in the Valkyries' series-clinching win over the Las Vegas Aces, scoring 12 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Williams has shown greater confidence in creating her own shot, and she's become more efficient from beyond the arc. The two-time All-Star was a 27.5% career 3-point shooter entering the season but shot a career-best 34.2% from deep this year. Williams has been even more accurate in the postseason, knocking down 2.8 threes per contest and 40.5% of her long-range attempts.
The combination of Williams' offensive growth and elite defense has made the 5-foot-11 forward one of the game's top two-way players.
Biggest strength: Defense
Golden State can always hang its hat on its defense. During the regular season, the Valkyries were over four points clear of the WNBA's second-ranked defense and gave up the fewest threes (eight per game) and points in the paint (31.1).
Williams and Veronica Burton averaged 1.6 steals apiece, creating havoc on the perimeter. Meanwhile, veteran Kiah Stokes provided superb rim protection, trailing only A'ja Wilson in total blocks. The 6-foot-3 center limited foes to 39.9% shooting in the non-restricted area of the paint. Stokes' length and size were a nuisance to Wilson, who shot below 40% from the field in two of the teams' three semifinal matchups.
Outside of the aforementioned trio, head coach Natalie Nakase has a number of high-level defenders that wear down counterparts with their persistent energy and length. Her squad constantly applies pressure to prevent opponents from settling in and establishing rhythm. Through the first two playoff rounds, Golden State allowed 79.8 points per contest, the best mark in the field.
X-factor: Tiffany Hayes
Hayes has provided a much-needed spark off the bench. The 37-year-old is the Valkyries' second-leading playoff scorer, averaging 13.3 points and 1.3 steals while shooting 36.8% from downtown. She can heat up in a hurry, and teammates feed off her defensive intensity.
Reason for concern: Salaun's shooting slump
Janelle Salaun was the unanimous Sixth Player of the Year after leading an explosive second unit that registered a record-setting 35.9 points per contest. However, the Frenchwoman has been a virtual nonfactor in the postseason. She's produced one double-digit scoring performance and has played under 10 minutes in each of the previous four games. Golden State needs all the firepower it can muster to keep up with a potent Atlanta team that's scoring 92.6 points per game, leading the playoff field.
