Dream force historic Game 7 with 80-69 win over Golden State

The Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 on Wednesday evening, tying the WNBA Finals at three games apiece. The victory forces a decisive Game 7 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The series will conclude on the road for Atlanta, with the home crowd expected to provide a loud backdrop for the final contest.

The Dream relied on a sharp shooting performance to overcome Golden State's defensive pressure. Atlanta hit 43.3% of its three-point attempts, while the Valkyries made only 7 of 27 long-range shots. The Dream also limited Golden State to 31.4% shooting from the field for the entire game. In the first half, Golden State managed just 9 of 34 shots. Atlanta also blocked eight shots compared to two for Golden State.

Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray each scored 21 points, providing the offensive spark needed to jump ahead. Angel Reese contributed 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. The team jumped to a 25-point lead in the first half. This marked a stark contrast to Game 5, where Golden State held Atlanta to 55 points. In Game 6, the Dream held Golden State to 69 points while improving their own efficiency.

Reese credited the team's early aggression for the win. “Every time we threw the first punch, we won the game,” Reese said. “So just being able to set the tone early, I mean we ain’t have everybody come out at 12:30 for no reason.” She noted that the early start allowed the players to establish physicality before the game settled. She also praised Howard and Gray, calling them “MVP-caliber players.”

Howard emphasized the necessity of the win. “It’s do or die. It’s win or go home,” Howard said. “I have to be a good leader for this team. I have to set the tone early, and that’s what I did today.” The team sold out State Farm Arena despite the unusual 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time tip-off. The attendance included Wanda Sykes, Usher, and Gunna, while T-Pain and Young Dro performed during the game. Heiress Harris, the 10-year-old daughter of T.I. and Tiny, sang the national anthem.

Golden State guard Veronica Burton acknowledged the challenge ahead. “We feel good,” Burton said. “We feel great. Obviously it’s a tough one; we knew Game 6 would be tough, but at the same time, it’s not going to be handed to us just because we’re at Ballhalla.” She described the upcoming game as a “dogfight” where both teams would play with urgency.

The Dream has reached the WNBA Finals three previous times without winning a championship. This season marks their fourth attempt. The Valkyries are in their second season and aim to secure their first title. Game 7 will take place at the Chase Center, known as Ballhalla when the Valkyries host. The arena has served as the sixth player for Golden State in the Finals, providing a passionate atmosphere for the home team.