League: WNBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Match Previews

Golden State Valkyries reach WNBA Finals in just second season

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 16, 2026, 3:20 PM

Last updated Oct 16, 2026

Golden State Valkyries reach WNBA Finals in just second season

Summary

The Golden State Valkyries will host Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday. This marks a remarkable achievement for the franchise, which was only established two years ago. Joe Lacob, the team's owner, made a bold prediction about winning a championship within five years of the franchise's inception. The Valkyries previously set a record for wins by an expansion team and made the playoffs in their inaugural season. Their rapid success has drawn attention and praise within the league.

Source Links

CBS Sports

Key Details

•Valkyries host Atlanta Dream in WNBA Finals Game 1 on Saturday.
•Joe Lacob predicted championship within five years of franchise's start.
•Team set expansion record with 23 wins and playoff appearance last season.
•Franchise quickly attracted talent and set high performance expectations.

Latest Updates

3:20 PMCBS Sports — Joe Lacob predicted a Valkyries title within five years. Here's how they reached the WNBA Finals in just two

What they're saying

"
Lacob made a bold proclamation when introducing the WNBA's newest franchise, and things have come together even faster than he envisioned
— CBS Sportsby Jack Maloney

Related Teams & Leagues

WNBA Basketball