Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries WNBA Finals Game 2 Picks and Predictions for Monday, October 19, 2026
The WNBA Finals stay in San Francisco on Monday, where Atlanta gets another shot at Golden State at Chase Center. Tipoff is at 8:00 pm ET on USA Network, CNBC, Peacock and E!. The Valkyries lead the series 1-0 after pulling out a 68-64 win Saturday. Golden State finished the regular season 32-12, while Atlanta went 30-14. The Dream had won five straight playoff games before Game 1, but the Valkyries have now won five in a row. Atlanta will be looking to even the series before heading home. Build your bankroll with our free WNBA picks.
Atlanta Dream Need More Offense in Game 2
Atlanta was close to stealing the opener but couldn't get a basket when it mattered most. The Dream missed their final seven shots as Golden State closed the game on a 7-0 run. Allisha Gray returned from a finger injury and scored 19 points, while Angel Reese had 14 points and 12 rebounds. Rhyne Howard added 12 but shot just 3-for-14. Atlanta averaged 91.3 points during the regular season, making Saturday's 64-point performance a big disappointment. The Dream need better shots late in games.
Jordin Canada and Howard are each averaging 19.2 points in the playoffs, with Canada also handing out 8.8 assists per game. Reese has contributed 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. Gray has averaged 17.0 points in her three postseason appearances. Atlanta is shooting 42.2% from the field and 36.4% from three in the playoffs. The Dream have several scoring options, but Golden State made things difficult in the opener. Getting Reese more touches around the basket could help.
Injuries: Matilde Villa is out by coach's decision. Brionna Jones is out for the season with a leg injury.
Golden State Valkyries Have Won Five Straight
Golden State didn't lead for long in Saturday's second half, but it was ahead when the clock ran out. Gabby Williams scored six of the final seven points and finished with 26. Kiah Stokes added nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Nobody else scored in double figures. The defense made the difference, keeping Atlanta scoreless on its last seven attempts. Golden State allowed 77.6 points per game during the regular season, and its ability to get stops was clear in the opener.
Williams has stepped up throughout the playoffs, averaging 22.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists. She's also shooting 40.5% from three. Tiffany Hayes is next at 13.3 points per game, although she's questionable with a head injury. Kayla Thornton is averaging 10.8 points, while Veronica Burton has 9.5 points and 4.0 assists. Stokes has been especially useful inside, collecting 9.5 rebounds and blocking 2.0 shots per game. The Valkyries have shown they can win even when their shots aren't falling.
Injuries: Tiffany Hayes is questionable with a head injury. Iliana Rupert is out for the season.
Key To The Game
Atlanta has more scoring on paper, but Golden State has been better at forcing difficult shots. The Dream need Canada to keep the offense organized and get Reese involved. Golden State will look to Williams and Stokes for the stops that decided Game 1.
Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries Pick
- Golden State Valkyries -2.5
Golden State took Game 1 despite getting only one double-figure scorer, which says plenty about its defense. Williams finished with 26 points, and Stokes made life difficult around the basket. Atlanta missed its final seven shots and couldn't protect a late lead. The Dream have enough scoring to respond, but Golden State is at home again and has won five straight. The Valkyries should cover the 2.5-point spread on Monday.
Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries Over/Under Pick
- Under 151.5
Saturday's opener finished with just 132 points, well below the 151.5 total listed for Game 2. Atlanta normally scores far more, but Golden State held the Dream to 64 and forced seven straight misses late. The Valkyries scored only 68 themselves and had just one player reach double figures. Both teams know how much every possession matters in the Finals. Another physical game makes the under the more attractive play.