The Finale: Game 1 — Expert Picks for the WNBA Finals (10/17)
Written by: Varun Sharma
Published: Sat Oct 17, 2026, 11:41 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
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The WNBA Finals are finally set to tip off today and I couldn't be more excited by this matchup. The Golden State Valkyries have made the WNBA Finals in just their second season since the franchise's conception. While their opponent the Atlanta Dream are set to make their first Finals appearance since 2013.
We've got superstars on both sides, two great head coaches and a chance to crown a first time WNBA Champion; regardless of outcome.
Without wasting anymore time, let's jump right into Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
For more information on betting the WNBA, check our full WNBA Betting Guide.
Game Information
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Matchup Information
- Location: Chase Center; San Francisco, Califonia
- Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026
- Tipoff: 3:00 PM EST
Leading Scorer Matchup (Postseason)
- Atlanta Dream: Rhyne Howard (19.2 PPG | 4.2 RPG | 3.4 APG)
- Golden State Valkyries: Gabby Williams (22.7 PPG | 4.8 RPG | 4.0 APG)
Betting Odds
Odds via Lucky Rebel, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Game 1 Best Bets
Kiah Stokes o7.5 Rebounds (-130) | Lucky Rebel
My absolute favorite WNBA hooper to bet on this year, Kiah Stokes. Stokes has the most playoff experience of anyone on this Golden State team. She's won 3 championships, all 3 with with the the Las Vegas Aces.
Stokes lead the Valkyries in rebounding this year, averaging 5.8 rebounds per game in just 22.3 minutes per contest.
However, in the playoffs we've seen her minutes explode. Stokes is now averaging 29.0 minutes per game, she's grabbing 9.5 rebounds per game and leads the entire WNBA in total playoff rebounds this year.
Stokes has been undeniably good on the glass and this Finals matchup presents one of the Valkyries toughest tests yet. The Dream finished 2nd in the league in offensive rebound rate, 2nd in rebounds per game and Angel Reese comes in as the best offensive rebounding big in the W.
If the Valkyries can't limit the Dream on the offensive glass, it's going to be a long night.
Angel Reese o10.5 Rebounds (-130) | Lucky Rebel
It feels wrong, taking two rebounding props in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals; but neither of these teams have been here before and that just makes me think we're bound to see some nerves.
With a total in the mid 150s, it looks like books agree; it's going to be a low scoring affair. We've got two of the best defenses in the league this year going head to head. We've got this year's Defensive Player of the Year in Angel Reese and we've got two rosters full of players that have never been here before.
This also happens to be Reese's first ever trip to the postseason and she's delivered. Reese is averaging 18.0 points per game in the postseason, 8.4 rebounds per game and she's playing nearly 34 minutes per game.
Reese has cleared this line in 4 straight games against the Valkyries, including 3 of their matchups this year. Golden State ranks 10th in rebounds allowed to the center position and ranked 11th in opponent offensive rebound rate this year.
This could be the perfect matchup to exploit on the glass and it's why I'm locked in on the two starting centers in today's game.
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