The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday, forcing a deciding Game 7 on Saturday night in San Francisco. The fourth-seeded Dream took control after the game's opening minute and held off a Valkyries comeback to keep the series alive.
The WNBA expanded the Finals from five games ahead of the 2025 season, and for the first time the league will hold a Game 7, with a first-time champion awaiting on either side. The game was moved to an early afternoon start to accommodate the Atlanta Hawks' Thursday night home game, but a packed State Farm Arena saw the Dream's biggest win to date.
Allisha Gray, playing with a hand injury, scored 23 points on five 3-pointers as Atlanta connected on 13 3-pointers. Rhyne Howard added 21 points and Angel Reese posted 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Jordin Canada chipped in 10 points.
The Dream jumped to a 19-5 lead early and led 32-15 after the first quarter. Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko said of the winner-take-all game: "It's such a great opportunity. I think our team is ready for it. … We'll take the next day to get as prepared as we can and make any adjustments that need to be made."
The Valkyries cut the deficit to 16 in the third quarter and pulled within eight in the fourth, but Gray's fifth trey sealed the win. Gabby Williams led Golden State with 26 points. Coach Natalie Nakase said she would review the film: "I want to go back and look at the film and find solutions on where my message wasn't delivered correctly."
Reese thanked the early crowd: "Shoutout to the crowd. To be able to come here at 12:30 on a Thursday with so many things going on in the world from school to work, we're just super thankful."
The Dream will look to win their first championship at the Chase Center on Saturday.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history highlights the impact of expanding the playoff format.
- The series winner will be a first-time champion, adding historic significance.
- Strong attendance despite a midday tip-off shows growing fan engagement.
Background
The WNBA expanded the Finals to a best-of-seven format starting with the 2025 season, after using a best-of-five format previously. The Atlanta Dream, seeded fourth, are one win away from their first championship. The Golden State Valkyries, in their second season, have made a surprising playoff run.
Key Perspectives
Karl Smesko (Atlanta Dream head coach): Said his team is ready for the winner-take-all Game 7 and will make adjustments.
Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream guard): Thanked the early crowd for their energy and support.
Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries head coach): Plans to review game film and find where her message was not delivered correctly, and will give her team space to rest.
Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream guard): Emphasised executing their offence and supporting each other as the key to success.
What to Watch
- Whether Gray's hand injury affects her performance in Game 7.
- How the Valkyries adjust after a poor first quarter.
- The outcome of the first WNBA Game 7 and the crowning of a first-time champion.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedThe Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 to force Game 7.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Sharp-shooting Dream beat Valkyries 80-69 to force Game 7 in WNBA Finals.”
- SupportedSaturday’s game will be the first-ever WNBA Game 7.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Now in Year 2 of the revamped format, the league will hold its first-ever Game 7 with a first-time champion awaiting on either side.”
- SupportedSmesko said, “It's such a great opportunity. I think our team is ready for it. … We'll take the next day to get as prepared as we can and make any adjustments that need to be made.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““It’s such a great opportunity. I think our team is ready for it,” Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko said of the winner-take-all game on Saturday night in San Francisco. “We’ll take the next day to get as prepared as we can and make any adjustments that need to be made.”
- SupportedNakase said, “I want to go back and look at the film and find solutions on where my message wasn't delivered correctly.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I want to go back and look at the film and find solutions on where my message wasn’t delivered correctly,” Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said.”
- SupportedReese said, “Shoutout to the crowd. To be able to come here at 12:30 on a Thursday with so many things going on in the world from school to work, we're just super thankful.”Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““First, shoutout to the crowd,” Reese said. “To be able to come here at 12:30 on a Thursday with so many things going on in the world from school to work, we’re just super thankful.”
- SupportedGame 6 was played on Thursday afternoon.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream made sure the series went the distance, leaving no doubt in an 80-69 victory over the visiting second-seeded Golden State Valkyries on Thursday afternoon.”
- SupportedThe deciding Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday night in San Francisco.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko said of the winner-take-all game on Saturday night in San Francisco.”
- SupportedAtlanta did not trail after the game’s opening minute and held off a Valkyries comeback.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Rhyne Howard added 21 points and Angel Reese posted 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for Atlanta, which didn’t trail after the game’s opening minute.”
- SupportedThe game was moved to an early afternoon start to accommodate the Atlanta Hawks’ Thursday home game.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The game was turned into a matinee by the league, which pushed the start time up to accommodate the Atlanta Hawks’ home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night.”
- SupportedGray, hampered by a hand injury, scored 23 points on five 3-pointers.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Allisha Gray, hampered by a hand injury throughout the postseason, scored 23 points on five 3-pointers in a Game 6”
- SupportedThe Dream took a 19-5 lead early and led 32-15 after the first quarter.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Atlanta rattled off 13 straight points — including five apiece from Gray and Canada — to give the Dream a 19-5 edge.”
- SupportedThe packed arena saw Atlanta’s biggest win to date.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Despite the awkward tip time, a packed State Farm Arena saw the biggest win in franchise history — so far.”