Dream, Valkyries finish sweeps to set WNBA Finals

Atlanta is back in the WNBA Finals. Golden State is going for the first time. Both teams closed out semifinal sweeps Friday, setting up a championship series with Maryland connections on each side.

The Dream edged the New York Liberty 85–83 at Barclays Center before the Valkyries beat the Las Vegas Aces 87–77 in overtime. Each won its series 3–0. The Finals begin Saturday, Oct. 17, according to the WNBA’s official calendar.

Reese helps Atlanta end its wait

Angel Reese delivered 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks as Atlanta secured its first Finals appearance since 2013. The Baltimore native, who began her college career at Maryland before transferring to LSU, made two of four 3-point attempts and all six free throws.

Rhyne Howard added 21 points, including four 3-pointers. Jordin Canada contributed 19 points, while DeWanna Bonner finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Atlanta shot 22-for-24 at the foul line.

The Dream needed that balance without Allisha Gray, who remained sidelined with a finger injury. They trailed 68–66 entering the fourth quarter but held New York to 15 points in the final period.

Breanna Stewart missed a potential tying layup with nine seconds remaining. Bonner then made two free throws with 6.2 seconds left to give Atlanta the cushion it needed.

Jonquel Jones and Stewart scored 26 points apiece for New York. Jones also grabbed 14 rebounds, but the Liberty could not extend their season.

“The job isn’t done,” Reese said in the Associated Press recap carried by WNBA.com. “Happy where we are right now. We’re not satisfied.”

Golden State takes charge in overtime

The Valkyries overcame a 45–36 halftime deficit and limited Las Vegas to seven third-quarter points. Regulation ended 71–71 before Golden State took command, outscoring the Aces 16–6 in overtime.

Kayla Thornton led Golden State with 18 points and nine rebounds. Gabby Williams scored 16, and Kiah Stokes supplied 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while making all five field-goal attempts.

Tiffany Hayes added 11 points off the bench. Former Maryland standout Kaila Charles contributed seven points and four rebounds, giving local fans another familiar player to follow in the championship round.

A’ja Wilson finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds for Las Vegas, but shot 6-for-19. Jackie Young scored 18. The Aces committed 15 turnovers, and Golden State converted those mistakes into 17 points.

Golden State also finished 20-for-22 at the line, while Las Vegas made 18 of 22. That efficiency helped the visitors close a game that required five additional minutes to settle.

The result sends the second-year Valkyries into their first Finals and ends Las Vegas’ season. Atlanta and Golden State now have a week before the scheduled opener, with both arriving after finishing their semifinal business on the road.