How the Valkyries and Dream Are Redefining Winning in the WNBA
The WNBA Finals are set, and the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream are proving there's a different path to winning a championship than we've seen in previous seasons. Chantel and Sabreena break down the playoff runs that brought these two teams to the Finals, from Atlanta's sweep of the New York Liberty to Golden State's stunning upset of the defending champions Las Vegas Aces. Plus, what did the Liberty's Big Three reveal with their reactions to questions about their coach? How will the Aces approach roster construction this offseason? And why is searching the globe for talent worth it? They also discuss Atlanta's venue controversy, Allisha Gray's injury status and what it could mean for the Dream's championship hopes, plus how the Valkyries are changing the timeline for success in the WNBA. No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network: Sign up for the No Offseason Newsletter: Rundown (times are approximate): 00:00 Intro 00:57 Dream sweep Liberty to punch Finals ticket 02:40 How the Dream controlled the pace 04:01 Jordin Canada's impact on the Dream 05:46 Naz Hillmon's importance to the Dream's rotation 10:23 Where the Liberty missed opportunities 12:13 Where do the Liberty's Big 3 stand with their coach? 16:22 What will the Liberty's roster look like in 2027? 20:18 How the Valkyries' defensive edge won the series 25:23 How the Valkyries' depth has fueled their success 29:41 Has the WNBA moved beyond the superteam era? 31:28 Roster construction and the changing WNBA landscape 34:26 The value of international talent 38:15 How the Valkyries and Dream are redefining how to win 39:46 Where will the Dream play their Finals home games? 47:18 How much of a challenge will the Dream pose to the Valkyries? Related links and articles: Follow and listen to the audio podcast: Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you're listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube: @No-Offseason -Instagram: @tanooffseason [ -TikTok: @no_offseason [ Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on IG: @layshiac -Annie on X: @anniecostabile -Produced by Taneka Burrell -Executive Produced by Andrea B. Scott Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports Hub: Full Episodes Playlist: Shorts Playlist: Thumbnail: Lachlan Cunningham / Stringer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
