2026 WNBA Finals: Best bets from proven expert
SportsLine expert Calvin Wetzel has revealed his best bets for the best-of-seven series between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream
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The Atlanta Dream came away empty in more ways than one in their first three appearances in the WNBA Finals. Not only did they lose all three series, they failed to post a single victory as they were swept by the Seattle Storm in 2010 and the Minnesota Lynx in both 2011 and 2013, back when a best-of-five format was used.
The championship series switched to a best-of-seven format last year, and the Dream look to take the first step toward the first title in franchise history with their first win in the round when they begin the 2026 WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Atlanta has yet to lose this postseason as it swept both its first-round series with the Washington Mystics and its semifinal matchup against the New York Liberty. The Dream, who won one game over the previous three postseasons, had lost five consecutive playoff series prior to this year, dating back to 2016.
The Valkyries are making their first appearance in the Finals in just their second year of existence. They were swept by Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs in their inaugural season but defeated the Dallas Wings in three games this postseason before sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
Golden State lost two of its three meetings with Atlanta in 2025, including its lone contest at home. This year was much different, however, as the Valkyries swept the season series, winning twice at the Chase Center and once at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.
The Dream called State Farm Arena in Atlanta home for their three games as hosts over the first two rounds of the playoffs and will continue to do so for at least Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, as it seats over 14,000 more fans than the Gateway Center Arena (3,500 capacity).
A different player led Atlanta in scoring in each of its three regular-season games against Golden State. One of them was Jordin Canada, who is tied with Rhyne Howard for team lead in playoff scoring with an average of 19.2 points. Angel Reese, who topped the Dream in scoring in each of their last two games, is producing 18 points per postseason contest and Allisha Gray has averaged 17.
Gabby Williams was Golden State's leading scorer in two of the three meetings with Atlanta in 2026 and is averaging a team-high 22.7 points during the postseason. Tiffany Hayes has recorded 13.3 points per playoff game and Kayla Thornton is averaging 10.8.
Which team will win the 2026 WNBA championship, who will be the Finals MVP and what players will lead the series in scoring and assists? Here are proven expert Calvin Wetzel's best bets for those achievements.
Wetzel is the lead betting writer at HerHoopStats.com -- a groundbreaking website that unlocks insights about the women's game. He incorporates his mathematical background and strong knowledge of women's hoops to turn the site's prediction model into picks. Wetzel went 202-111-2 (+57.9 units) during the 2024 WNBA season and posted a 147-88-1 record (+47.1 units) during the 2024-25 NCAA season. In the 2023 WNBA season, he finished 238-185-1 (+29.5 units).
Who will win the 2026 WNBA championship and who will be the Finals MVP? ... Join SportsLine now to see who to back to win the 2026 WNBA title, the Finals MVP and more from one of the leading women's basketball experts in the country!
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