Deanna Nolan was the 2006 Finals M.V.P. Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images

Shock Come Back To Dethrone Monarchs
2006 WNBA Finals M.V.P. Deanna Nolan led the Shock to their second title in four years by defeating the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs in five games. The series began with each team winning once on the road before the Shock beat the Monarchs, 80-75, at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit to claim the title. Eight-year veteran Katie Smith averaged 17.0 points on her way to her first WNBA championship.

First Round
- Detroit defeats Indiana, 2-0
Detroit 68, Indiana 56
Detroit 98, Indiana 83

- Connecticut defeats Washington, 2-0
Connecticut 76, Washington 61
Connecticut 68, Washington 65

- Los Angeles defeats Seattle, 2-1
Seattle 84, Los Angeles 72
Los Angeles 78, Seattle 70
Los Angeles 68, Seattle 63

- Sacramento defeats Houston, 2-0
Sacramento 93, Houston 78
Sacramento 92, Houston 64

Conference Finals
- Detroit defeats Connecticut, 2-1
Detroit 70, Connecticut 59
Connecticut 77, Detroit 68
Detroit 79, Connecticut 55

- Sacramento defeats Los Angeles, 2-0
Sacramento 64, Los Angeles 61
Sacramento 72, Los Angeles 58

Finals
- Detroit defeats Sacramento, 3-2
Sacramento 95, Detroit 71
Detroit 73, Sacramento 63
Sacramento 89, Connecticut 69
Detroit 72, Sacramento 52
Detroit 80, Sacramento 75