Atlanta Dream Defeat Golden State 80-69 to Force WNBA Finals Decider
A 13-3 run and efficient three-point shooting secured the win for the fourth-seeded Dream, setting a first-time championship game for Saturday in San Francisco.
By Elena Vargas ·
The WNBA expanded its Finals format to a best-of-seven series before the 2025 season, but no team had previously reached the deciding game. That changed on Thursday afternoon when the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream defeated the second-seeded Golden State Valkyries, 80-69, at State Farm Arena.
The Dream did not trail at any point after the opening minute. Atlanta connected on 13 three-pointers throughout the contest, while limiting Golden State to just 26 points in the first half. The Valkyries finished with a 25.9 percent three-point shooting average, making seven of their 27 attempts.
Allisha Gray led the Dream with 23 points, including five three-pointers, despite playing with a hand injury during the postseason. Rhyne Howard contributed 21 points. Angel Reese recorded 15 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. Jordin Canada added 10 points.
Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase described the first quarter as unacceptable. After Gabby Williams cut the early deficit to 6-5 with a free throw, Atlanta scored 13 consecutive points. That run included five points each from Gray and Canada, extending the Dream lead to 19-5.
Atlanta made six of its first eight three-point attempts to build a 32-15 lead by the end of the first quarter. The margin grew to 25 points with 4:20 remaining in the first half after Reese hit a three-pointer and Howard made a mid-range jumper. Tiffany Hayes and Laeticia Amihere scored late in the half to trim the halftime deficit to 46-26.
The Valkyries outscored Atlanta 21-17 in the third quarter. Kaila Charles hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the third quarter and pull Golden State within 16. In the fourth quarter, Williams' layup reduced the deficit to 13 with 6:50 left. Gray and Reese answered with three-pointers to push the lead back to 19.
Williams completed a three-point play at the 1:15 mark to make it an eight-point game. Gray then hit her fifth three-pointer to secure the victory. Head coach Karl Smesko said the team would use Friday to prepare for Saturday night's game at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Gray, a 10-year veteran, stated that the team executes best when moving the ball and supporting each other. The Dream will face the Valkyries in the first-ever WNBA Finals Game 7 on Saturday, with a championship on the line.
Source: Al Jazeera
