Two squads. A single championship at stake.

The WNBA Finals begin Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET as the second-seeded Golden State Valkyries face the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream in a best-of-seven series. Both clubs seek their first title. Which athletes stand the best chance of guiding their teams to the top?

ESPN ranked the top performers across the 2026 season. This update highlights the 15 players who have excelled most in the playoffs.

Postseason rotations tighten, yet the Valkyries' depth allowed one extra inclusion. Meanwhile the Dream's three All-Stars helped them claim three of the top four spots.

One note applies: Dream guard Allisha Gray ranks among the league's elite when healthy. A hand injury in the first semifinal game has kept her sidelined since.

Gray earned inclusion after stating Thursday she remains optimistic about suiting up for Game 1 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Here are the top 15 postseason performers according to Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews and Kareem Copeland.

1. Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream

Forward | 6-foot-3
Playoff stats: 18.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.0 APG

The 2024 seventh overall pick is enjoying the finest stretch of her career and recently earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. In her first playoffs Reese averages 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals. Scoring and blocks have both climbed while she converts 38.5 percent from three-point range. Her two-way influence largely explains why the Dream reached the Finals for the first time since 2013. - Copeland

2. Gabby Williams, Golden State Valkyries

Forward | 5-foot-11
Playoff stats: 22.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.0 APG

Williams has extended her offensive breakout into the playoffs. She leads remaining Finals scorers with nearly 23 points per game, eight above her regular-season mark. She shoots 40.5 percent from three on 2.8 attempts, fourth in the playoffs and tops among Finals participants. After placing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, her two-way impact has carried the Valkyries to the Finals and within reach of a title. - Andrews

3. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream

Guard | 6-foot-2
Playoff stats: 19.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.4 APG

Howard's postseason has featured ups and downs. She failed to exceed one-third field-goal shooting in any semifinal contest yet drained 4-of-10 threes in Game 3 to help close the series. She continues to shine through versatility, whether draining threes, attacking downhill, setting up teammates or disrupting on defense. - Philippou

4. Jordin Canada, Atlanta Dream

Guard | 5-foot-6
Playoff stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 8.8 APG

Canada, selected fifth overall in 2018, captured two WNBA titles with Seattle in 2018 and 2020. She came off the bench then and logged key minutes without starting. Now she steers the offense in these playoffs, boosting her scoring by nearly seven points over her regular-season average across five postseason games. She has also sparked the defense with 2.2 steals per contest. At 31, Canada delivers her finest basketball when it matters most. - Voepel

5. Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries

Guard | 5-foot-9
Playoff stats: 9.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.0 APG

Burton has shown inconsistency yet delivered crucial baskets. After remaining scoreless late in Game 2 versus Las Vegas, she sank a 28-foot three to give the Valkyries the lead inside the final 90 seconds. In the opening round she also hit a dagger three against Dallas to rally from a 16-point deficit and clinch the series. - Andrews

6. Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream

Guard | 6-foot
Playoff stats: 17.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 2.0 SPG (three games)

Gray led the Dream in scoring during the regular season and first playoff round yet sits lower here due to limited availability. She suffered a left-hand injury in the opening half of semifinal Game 1 and has not returned, though she was questionable for Game 3. She revealed this week she underwent a minor procedure and remains day-to-day. She told reporters Thursday she hopes to play in Game 1. - Philippou

7. Tiffany Hayes, Golden State Valkyries

Guard | 5-foot-10
Playoff stats: 13.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.3 APG

The 14-year veteran has supplied needed bench scoring. Her 13.3 points per game rank third on a defense-first club. She tallied 21 points in the opening-round Game 1 win over the Wings and 18 in the Game 3 clincher. Hayes poured in 21 points in under 17 minutes during semifinal Game 2 versus Las Vegas. - Copeland

8. Kiah Stokes, Golden State Valkyries

Center | 6-foot-3
Playoff stats: 3.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG

Stokes embodies the phrase that stats do not capture her full value. She excels in her assigned role. One figure stands out: nearly four extra rebounds per game compared with the regular season. A reliable defender who honed her craft against A'ja Wilson in practice during five seasons in Las Vegas, she won three titles there. In the semifinal sweep she used that experience to challenge Wilson and the Aces. She will attempt the same versus Reese and the Dream. - Voepel

9. DeWanna Bonner, Atlanta Dream

Forward | 6-foot-4
Playoff stats: 13.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 APG

After beginning the year in Phoenix, Bonner joined the Dream with five regular-season games left and has integrated smoothly. The two-time champion entered the starting lineup after Gray's injury and has reached double figures in four of five playoff games, including 23 points in semifinal Game 1. - Philippou

10. Kayla Thornton, Golden State Valkyries

Forward | 6-foot-1
Playoff stats: 10.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 0.5 APG

Thornton has elevated her game in the postseason. She averages more than three additional points per game while lifting her three-point percentage from 34.7 to 42.3 percent. She scored 16 points with three threes in semifinal Game 2 and 18 points with nine rebounds in the Game 3 closeout. Four of her five double-digit playoff scoring outings have occurred in 2026. - Copeland

11. Cecilia Zandalasini, Golden State Valkyries

Forward | 6-foot-2
Playoff stats: 8.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG

Zandalasini's Game 1 performance against the Wings showed her importance as a floor spacer. She scored 22 points and made 4-of-5 threes. She thrives by hitting timely shots and creating momentum swings. She shoots 42.1 percent from three in the playoffs while contributing on the boards. - Andrews

12. Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream

Forward | 6-foot-2
Playoff stats: 5.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.6 APG

Hillmon's scoring has dipped from her regular-season 9.1 points per game yet she has still influenced outcomes, particularly on defense where she troubled Breanna Stewart in the semifinals. - Philippou

13. Kaila Charles, Golden State Valkyries

Guard/forward | 6-foot-1
Playoff stats: 6.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.8 APG

Golden State marks the fifth WNBA stop for the 2020 second-round pick and the best fit. Charles has appeared in every game this season with nearly identical regular-season and postseason numbers. She embodies team chemistry by bringing consistent energy regardless of minutes. That approach has endeared her to Bay Area fans. - Voepel

14. Kaitlyn Chen, Golden State Valkyries

Guard | 5-foot-9
Playoff stats: 6.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 1.2 APG

Chen's minutes have decreased yet she has maximized limited chances. She scored eight points with two rebounds, two assists and two threes in 17 minutes during first-round Game 1. In semifinal Game 1 versus the Aces she posted a playoff career-high 11 points in 22 minutes plus three rebounds. The second-year guard has been an energetic supporter from the bench. - Copeland

15. Isobel Borlase, Atlanta Dream

Guard | 5-foot-11
Playoff stats: 5.6 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.8 APG

The Dream selected Izzy in the second round of 2024 out of Australia at age 19, anticipating development time. Their plan has succeeded. The rookie, now 22, appeared in all 44 regular-season games averaging 4.8 points in 13.0 minutes. In the postseason she has continued providing valuable bench minutes, especially while Gray missed most of the semifinals. - Voepel