<ul><li><p>Valkyries host Dream in opener of best-of-seven series</p></li><li><p>Game 1 tipoff scheduled for 3.30pm ET (8.30pm BST)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/16/wnba-finals-2026-predictions-atlanta-dream-golden-state-valkyries">Guardian writers’ predictions: Golden State or Atlanta?</a></p></li><li><p>Reach out to Bryan on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/bryanagraham.bsky.social">Bluesky</a> or <a href="http://bryan.graham/">by email</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Angel Reese insists the occasion won’t overwhelm Atlanta as the Dream prepare for their first WNBA finals appearance in 13 years</strong> – even if the atmosphere inside Golden State’s famously raucous Chase Center promises to be something special.</p><p>“Not really,” Reese said Friday when asked whether the finals felt different from previous playoff games. “I think all of us have been in a stage where we played for some type of championship or played for something at a high stake.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/oct/17/atlanta-dream-v-golden-state-valkyries-wnba-finals-2026-game-1-live-buildup">Continue reading...</a>
Sports
Atlanta Dream v Golden State Valkyries: WNBA finals 2026 Game 1 – live buildup
<ul><li><p>Valkyries host Dream in opener of best-of-seven series</p></li><li><p>Game 1 tipoff scheduled for 3.30pm ET (8.30pm BST)</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/16/wnba-finals-2026-predictions-atlanta-dream-golden-state-valkyries">Guardian writers’ predictions: Golden State or Atlanta?</a></p></li><li><p>Reach out to Bryan on <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/bryanagraham.bsky.social">Bluesky</a> or <a href="http://bryan.graham/">by email</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>Angel Reese insists the occasion won’t overwhelm Atlanta as the Dream prepare for their first WNBA finals appearance in 13 years</strong> – even if the atmosphere inside Golden State’s famously raucous Chase Center promises to be something special.</p><p>“Not really,” Reese said Friday when asked whether the finals felt different from previous playoff games. “I think all of us have been in a stage where we played for some type of championship or played for something at a high stake.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/oct/17/atlanta-dream-v-golden-state-valkyries-wnba-finals-2026-game-1-live-buildup">Continue reading...</a>