Dream and Valkyries Set for WNBA Finals

The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries completed three-game semifinal sweeps on Friday, setting up a best-of-seven WNBA Finals scheduled to begin October 17. Atlanta defeated the New York Liberty 85-83 on the road, while Golden State beat the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in overtime. Both teams are making their first Finals appearances in their current eras: Atlanta since 2013 and Golden State in its second season. The Finals schedule lists Golden State as host for the opening two games, with Game 1 set for October 17 and Game 2 for October 19. The series is scheduled to move to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4. Games 5 through 7 are listed for October 26, 29 and 31 if necessary. Atlanta advanced despite missing Allisha Gray for the final two games of the semifinal series. Gray, a four-time All-Star guard, injured a finger on her left shooting hand in Game 1 and played 11 minutes before sitting out Games 2 and 3. Her availability for the Finals remains uncertain, according to the account of the injury. The Dream won Game 2 against New York 101-98 in overtime before closing out the series.