Why Geno Auriemma is rooting for Golden State in WNBA Finals

Kaitlyn Chen (2) hugs Gabby Williams (1) after the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Las Vegas Aces 87-77 in Game 3 of the 2026 WNBA playoffs semifinals at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. The Valkyries advance to the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream. (Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

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UConn head coach Geno Auriemma talks with UConn guard Kaitlyn Chen (20) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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NEW YORK – DECEMBER 19: Geno Auriemma, head coach, talks with Tiffany Hayes #3 of the Connecticut Huskies during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 19, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 08: Connecticut Huskies head coach Geno Auriemma talks with Connecticut Huskies forward Gabby Williams (15) in the second half during a game between the Connecticut Huskies and the DePaul Blue Demons on December 8, 2017, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL. Connecticut won 101-69. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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STORRS — Geno Auriemma may be biased, but he has a clear favorite for who he wants to win the WNBA Finals. 

The Golden State Valkyries have surpassed all expansion expectations and reached the Finals in the franchise’s second year. And they’ve done so with the help of four former UConn women’s basketball stars: Tiffany Hayes, Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes and Kaitlyn Chen.

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So, when Golden State tips off in next Saturday’s Game 1 against the Atlanta Dream, it’s no surprise which way Auriemma will be cheering.

“I don’t think I’d be overstating it that if those four were not on that team, they (Valkyries) wouldn’t be where they are today,” Auriemma said Saturday after the Huskies’ practice and a little over 12 hours after Golden State punched its ticket to the Finals.

Hayes, Williams, Stokes and Chen represent four different eras of the Husky program.

Hayes was the Huskies’ top shooting guard during its early 2010s dominance, including helping the program win a then-record 78 consecutive games and back-to-back undefeated national championships. Stokes helped usher in the Huskies’ four-peat years, while Williams came in during the final stretch of the program’s most impressive accomplishment. And even though Chen played under Auriemma for only one year, her veteran leadership helped the Huskies break their title drought and win the 2025 national championship.

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“I’m looking up at the press conference one night after one of the games, and Gabby and Tiff were sitting up there, the two of them, and I’m just looking at them, shaking my head as I’m watching it,” said Auriemma.

“… You look at them, and they’re all the same. They’re all the same, but they’re all unique in their own way, right? And to me, that’s the most amazing thing: that every kid that spent that time here has certain qualities that make you win and make you win championships.”

UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma spoke to the media Saturday after practice about Monday’s exhibition vs. Syracuse and the upcoming season. New assistant coach Nykesha Sales, a former UConn player, shared why she decided to come back and what it’s been like so far. Footage by Maggie Vanoni and Mike Anthony / Hearst CT Media. Produced by Emily Scarvie / Hearst CT Media. #UConnBasketball #UConn #Connecticut #CT

Emily Scarvie, Hearst Connecticut Media

On Friday, Golden State took down the defending WNBA champs, the Las Vegas Aces, and secured its spot in the Finals thanks to the former Huskies. While five-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson led with 21 points, Stokes was the only Valkyries player to finish with a double-double, recording 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

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Stokes (who won three WNBA titles with the Aces, including the 2025 championship) frustrated Wilson with her defense.  According to StatMuse, Stokes leads the WNBA with a 94.8 defensive rating. The Husky center is playing some of the best basketball of her career, averaging a career-high 1.3 assists per game along with 1.7 blocks per game (her best average since her rookie year in 2015).

If Golden State defeats Atlanta and wins it all, Stokes will become only the third former Husky to win four WNBA titles, joining Sue Bird and Maya Moore.

Kiah Stokes and Kaitlyn Chen of the Golden State Valkyries celebrate after defeating the Las Vegas Aces in Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

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“Another great story that’s not talked about by anybody is the impact that Kiah Stokes has had on winning in her whole career, wherever she’s been,” said Auriemma. “And who wouldn’t want to coach a kid that says, ‘Don’t throw me the ball. Just let me play 27 minutes. Let me block four shots, get 10 rebounds, get a couple steals and just shut down the other team’s best track. That’s all I want to do.’ I mean, that’s like a coach’s dream, you know. And she’s been able to carve out an amazing career doing that.”

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While Stokes anchors the Valkyries’ defense, it’s Williams who fuels the team on both ends. The forward, who grew up playing AAU basketball in the Bay Area, has unlocked a new level to her game over the last two years and thrives in Golden State’s system. She’s earned back-to-back All-Star selections and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting this season.

Williams’ length makes her a defensive nightmare, while her endless motor makes her an unstoppable force on offense, as she can score from anywhere and forces defenders to chase her constantly. She’s averaged 22.6 points per game across Golden State’s first six playoff games, including finishing with 16 points, three steals and three assists Friday against the Aces.

“Maybe the best story in all of the WNBA is the impact that Gabby Williams is having on the league, offensively and defensively,” said Auriemma.

Hayes led Golden State on Friday with a +20 thanks to 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. She’s the Valkyries’ most stable veteran and one of its most productive players off the bench.

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Same with Chen. Even though she’s only two years into the league, the California native consistently lights up the court with her energy and has improved immensely. This year, she’s averaging 7.2 points per game compared to 2.0 last season. On Friday, she finished with six points, two assists and one rebound in eight minutes.

“We had Kaitlyn for one year, and we won a national championship. I think she’s just a winner,” said UConn senior guard Ashlynn Shade. “I mean, she is just the ultimate teammate, ultimate competitor, and I’m just so happy to see her. … I just think that goes to show, Coach said it the other day, that if you buy into what we do here, it translates so much to the professional level. And you can just really be thrown in anywhere and be able to adapt, compete at the highest level.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: (L-R) Kaitlyn Chen #2, Aminata Gueye #31, Kiah Stokes #41, Kaila Charles #6, Tiffany Hayes #15 and Juste Jocyte #4 of the Golden State Valkyries huddle on the court with teammates as they celebrate their 87-77 overtime victory over the Las Vegas Aces in Game Three of the 2026 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 09, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Valkyries won the series 3-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Golden State, which reached the first round of the WNBA playoffs last season, finished the regular season with a 32-12 record and is the No. 2 seed in this year’s playoffs. The Valkyries defeated Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings 2-1 in the first round and swept the Aces 3-0 in last week’s semifinals.

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“I’m really proud of all of them, and that’s probably the one team that I’ve watched play the most,” said Auriemma. “They were playing Dallas, and somebody said, ‘Hey, you know, you’re rooting for Paige.’ I said, ‘No, I’m not. I’m rooting for Golden State.’ (They have) four to (Dallas’) one and a half (Huskies) because Azzi (Fudd) didn’t play.”

The Dream are the No. 4 seed and are making their first WNBA Finals appearance since 2013. Atlanta, which has yet to win a WNBA title, swept the Washington Mystics in the first round 2-0 and swept Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty 3-0 in the semifinals. Atlanta is led by Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Alisha Gray, Angel Reese and former Connecticut Sun star DeWanna Bonner (picked up on waivers by Atlanta in August). Former Husky star and Hayes’ former UConn teammate Renee Montgomery is a part-owner and the vice president of the Dream.

Golden State and Atlanta will battle in a best-of-seven series starting next week for the 2026 WNBA title.

WNBA Finals schedule

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Game 1: Atlanta at Golden State – Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. on NBC

Game 2: Atlanta at Golden State – Monday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. on USA Network

Game 3: Golden State at Atlanta – Thursday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. on USA Network

Game 4: Golden State at Atlanta – Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m. on NBC

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Game 5 (if needed): Atlanta at Golden State – Monday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. on USA Network

Game 6 (if needed): Golden State at Atlanta – Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. on USA Network

Game 7 (if needed): Dream at Golden State – Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. on USA Network

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