The Valkyries clinched a place in the WNBA Finals on Friday, beating the defending champion Aces 87‑77 in overtime to complete a 2‑0 series sweep.

Record‑breaking rise for an expansion franchise

Only two seasons after being granted a franchise, the Valkyries have become the quickest expansion team ever to reach the league's championship series. No other newcomer has advanced past the semifinals in fewer than three years, according to league historian Mary McDermott.

The series was a best‑of‑five, but the Valkyries never needed more than two games. After a tightly contested first match that the Aces won by three points, Friday's Game 3 saw the underdogs overturn the deficit and finish the series in emphatic fashion.

Overtime drama and clutch performances

Regulation time ended with the score locked at 77‑77. Valkyries guard Maya Chen, who posted a double‑double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, knocked down a decisive three‑pointer early in the extra period. She was ably supported by forward Leila Hassan, whose 18 points included two key baskets in the final minute of overtime.

The Aces struggled to regain momentum, missing several open shots as the Valkyries' defence forced eight turnovers in the extra frame.

Valkyries players celebrating overtime victory on the court

Reactions from the bench and the league

Valkyries head coach Tomas Rivera said the win reflected "the belief we built from day one – that we could compete with the league's best, even in our second season." The Aces' coach, Jenna Collins, praised the opposition, noting that "their poise in overtime was something we haven't seen from a new franchise before."

The WNBA commissioner, Natalie Greene, called the result "a milestone for the league, showcasing the depth of talent and the growing parity across teams," in a statement released after the game.

What the finals mean for the Valkyries and the sport

By reaching the finals, the Valkyries will face the Chicago Sky, who secured their own berth after a five‑game series win over the Minnesota Lynx. The upcoming best‑of‑five finals are set to begin next week, with games slated for both Chicago and Las Vegas venues.

The Valkyries' rapid ascent highlights the impact of recent investment in women's professional basketball, including expanded media deals and increased sponsorship. Analysts at ESPN note that the team's success could accelerate further expansion plans, as other cities vie for new franchises.

Fans packed the arena for Friday's decisive game, with many sporting Valkyries merchandise that had only been released earlier this season. The atmosphere was electric, underscoring the growing appetite for high‑level women's sport.

With the finals looming, the Valkyries will look to maintain the intensity that saw them overturn a defending champion, while the league prepares for what could be one of its most watched championship series in recent memory.