The Atlanta Dream refused to let their championship hopes slip away Thursday, delivering an impressive offensive performance to defeat the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals and force a historic winner-take-all showdown.
Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 23 points, connecting on five of seven attempts from beyond the arc, while Rhyne Howard added 21 points. Their combined scoring helped the Dream recover from consecutive losses and extend the championship series to a decisive seventh game.
Saturday’s matchup at Golden State will mark the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, with both teams competing for their first league championship.
Facing elimination, Atlanta wasted little time establishing control. The Dream opened the game with remarkable shooting accuracy, making 11 of their first 15 field-goal attempts, including six three-pointers, to take a 32-15 lead after the opening quarter.
Jordin Canada helped ignite the early surge with two three-pointers during a 13-0 run that transformed a narrow Atlanta advantage into a commanding lead.
The Dream maintained their momentum throughout the second quarter, stretching their advantage to 46-26 by halftime. Their defense was equally effective, limiting Golden State to nine field goals on 34 attempts during the first two periods.
Angel Reese contributed another strong all-around performance, recording 15 points and 13 rebounds. She also connected from three-point range, continuing a favorable trend for Atlanta, which entered the contest undefeated in 15 games when Reese made at least one three-pointer.
Golden State struggled to find offensive consistency during the first half, but the Valkyries showed considerably more resistance after the break.
Gabby Williams led the comeback attempt with a game-high 26 points, while Tiffany Hayes added 15. The visitors gradually reduced Atlanta’s advantage, cutting the deficit to 63-47 by the end of the third quarter.
The Dream briefly restored some breathing room in the fourth period when Gray and Reese connected on consecutive three-pointers, pushing Atlanta ahead 74-55.
Golden State continued battling, however, and eventually trimmed the margin to eight points following a three-point play by Williams. Gray responded with another important shot from long distance, helping Atlanta protect its lead during the closing stretch.
The physical intensity of the contest was evident throughout the second half. Golden State guard Veronica Burton received a flagrant foul following contact with Howard’s face during a drive to the basket. Hayes also required attention from a trainer after a collision while pursuing a loose ball late in the fourth quarter.
Atlanta’s victory represented a significant turnaround following disappointing offensive performances in Games 4 and 5. The Dream had scored just 55 points in their Game 5 defeat, including only 22 in the opening half.
Thursday’s response demonstrated the team’s ability to perform under pressure, particularly from three-point range, while maintaining the defensive intensity needed to withstand Golden State’s late push.
The game also drew a strong crowd despite concerns surrounding its unusual 12:30 p.m. ET start time. Atlanta had announced a sellout ahead of the matchup, and the arena was largely filled for the elimination contest.
Now the championship comes down to one final game.
Golden State will have home-court advantage Saturday, but Atlanta enters the decisive matchup with renewed confidence after keeping its season alive.
With a first championship awaiting the winner, the 2026 WNBA Finals are set for a historic conclusion.
