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Dream Even Series with Valkyries in Game 6
· Confirmed
In Short: The Atlanta Dream evened the series with the Golden State Valkyries, winning Game 6 by a score of 80-69, after trailing 3-2.
Dream forward Angel Reese and guard Allisha Gray led the team with strong performances, scoring 23 and 21 points respectively.
The Dream seized the opportunity by making 73.3% of their shots in the first quarter, racing to a 32-15 lead that was never relinquished.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase expressed frustration over her team's lackadaisical start, calling it 'unacceptable.'
Guard Veronica Burton echoed Nakase's sentiments, emphasizing the need for a better start in Game 7.
The Valkyries struggled to mount a comeback despite showing fight in the second half.
The game's unorthodox start time at 12:30 PM on a Thursday did not deter fans, with the game selling out and becoming a hot ticket on the secondary market.
The Atlanta Dream's resilience and unity throughout the season have been key factors in their success.
Game 7 is set for Saturday night at Chase Center in San Francisco, with the home team having won 11 of the last 13 decisive Finals games.
Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte is set to perform during Game 7, adding to the excitement.
What this adds
The Dream's strong start in the first quarter was crucial in evening the series.
The Valkyries' defensive intensity, which was so important in their Game 5 win, was notably absent in Game 6.
The game's unusual timing and the teams' decision to skip the national anthem have drawn attention and controversy.
Background
The Atlanta Dream evened the series with the Golden State Valkyries, winning Game 6 by a score of 80-69, after trailing 3-2.
The Golden State Valkyries are heading into Game 6 of the WNBA Finals with a 3-2 series lead after defeating the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5 at Chase Center in San Francisco.
What's confirmed
- Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) is defended by Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) in the fourth quarter during Game 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images / IMAGN) Despite the unorthodox start time, the game sold out after tickets went on sale Monday, and it is now a hot ticket on the secondary marketplace.
- "We knew they were going to play desperate. We knew they were going to play like their life depends on it. For us not to match that is disappointing and frustrating. So, yeah, I need to make sure my team is prepared."
What's still developing
- She was baffled that her team somehow left behind its defensive intensity at the start of Thursday's 80-69 loss to the Dream that forced Game 7 at "Ballhalla" in San Francisco on Saturday night.
- Golden State's Tiffany Hayes was called for her fifth foul in a collision for a loose ball with 5:01 remaining.
- Atlanta's Allisha Gray scored 23 points and Rhyne Howard had 21 in Thursday's win when Golden State's only lead was 2-0.
- "For me, I need clarity. I need some information."
- Even after the Valkyries showed fight by attempting a second-half comeback, Nakase was still struggling to comprehend the lackadaisical start so she could make sure it's not repeated in Saturday night's decisive game.
- "Can't let that happen right out of the gate," Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said.
- Gibbs : It feels fitting that this historic 30th WNBA season, that began with a hard-fought CBA that elevated player compensation into a new echelon, is ending in the league's first-ever Game 7.
- Set us as preferred If you need permission to watch “The Permission” — a.k.a.
- “They should have thought ahead for the whole seven-game series,” she said.
- All season long, the Dream have poured into each other.
- Facing elimination at a lunchtime tipoff, the Dream overwhelmed the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 on Thursday afternoon to force a decisive seventh game in the WNBA finals, rediscovering their offensive touch just as their title hopes were threatening to slip away.
- The Golden State Valkyries have won their first playoff series in franchise history and advance to the Semifinals with a 77-73 victory over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center on Friday.