The Atlanta Dream forced a decisive Game 7 in the WNBA Finals on Thursday afternoon, defeating the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 at a packed State Farm Arena to level the series.
Atlanta seized control from the opening tip, establishing the largest first-quarter lead in WNBA Finals history. Sparked by a 13-0 run and shooting 11-of-15 from the floor—including six three-pointers—the Dream built a 17-point advantage by the end of the opening period. Allisha Gray set the early offensive tone with eight points in the first seven minutes.
Golden State struggled to find its rhythm during the first half, shooting just 9-of-34 from the floor. The deficit stretched to 25 points before the Dream settled for a 46-26 halftime cushion.
Physical play escalated after the break. During the third quarter, Rhyne Howard drove for a fast-break layup and absorbed a hard foul to the face from Golden State’s Veronica Burton, who was assessed a flagrant foul. The ensuing free throws temporarily restored a 25-point margin, though the Valkyries trimmed the gap to 16 by the end of the third period.
Golden State mounted a furious rally in the fourth quarter, cutting Atlanta’s lead to 12 points with under three minutes remaining. Gabby Williams powered the second-half surge for the visitors, converting a fast-break layup and a free throw in the final two minutes to narrow the margin to eight points. However, key perimeter shooting blunted the comeback. Gray and Angel Reese connected on successive possessions to rebuild the lead, and Gray sealed the outcome with a corner three-pointer with approximately a minute remaining, followed by a crucial defensive stop.
Gray and Howard led Atlanta with 23 points apiece, while Reese contributed another double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
“Every time we threw the first punch, we won the game,” Reese said following the victory, acknowledging the unusual midday tip-off that drew a sellout crowd of fans who used paid time off or altered schedules to attend at State Farm Arena. The venue was selected to host the game instead of the team’s smaller suburban facility.
The series now shifts to San Francisco for Game 7, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Chase Center.
“We needed the opportunity. That’s all we needed and we maximized it today,” Reese said regarding the upcoming title match. “I’m just really proud of this group. The job is not done.”
