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Valkyries Aim to Avoid Slow Start in Decisive Game 7

3:05 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: The Golden State Valkyries are determined to avoid another slow start as they prepare for Game 7 against the Atlanta Dream at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night.

In Game 6, the Valkyries struggled out of the gate, allowing the Dream to take a commanding 32-15 lead in the first quarter.

Guard Veronica Burton echoed Nakase's sentiment, stating, "For me, I think I let my team down last game not really contributing as much as I could in the second half."

The Dream's offensive surge in Game 6 was a stark contrast to their defensive-focused approach throughout the series.

The home team has won 11 of the 13 decisive Finals games in WNBA history, according to ESPN.

Fans are gathering at Thrive City in anticipation of the Valkyries' chance to clinch the championship.

The game is set to start at 8pm ET on Saturday night.

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom and rapper Kendrick Lamar have both expressed their intent to attend the game.

Background

What's confirmed

• The home team has won 11 of those 13 decisive Finals games, according to ESPN.
• Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom said he was going to be at the game.

What's still developing

• "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.
• 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.
• Smesko previously noted the urgency of the moment, stating, "I just think we have to create better shots in this game."
• The rapper issued signed permission slips Tuesday on social media for everyone to be excused from work on Thursday to watch Game 6 of the WNBA Finals.
• In a Finals that's been mostly defined by defense, the Dream's offense showed up in a big way in the elimination game as Atlanta raced out to a 25-point first-half lead en route to an 80-69 victory.
• Williams, a Reed High graduate, also got off to a slow start, missing eight of her first nine shots before finding a rhythm and ending with a game-high 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting.
• 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.
• Reese became the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Jonquel Jones for Connecticut in 2019 and Breanna Stewart for Seattle in 2020.
• Kanter Freedom demanded he be allowed to sit in his purchased seat, and for the second time this season didn’t make it through a WNBA game.
• 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.

Sources

• ABC7 Bay Arealink
• Bleacher Reportlink
• Bozeman Daily Chroniclelink
• CBS Sportslink
• Enlink
• Espnlink
• FOX 5 Atlantalink
• Los Angeles Timeslink
• NBC Bay Arealink
• NBC Newslink
• NBC Sports Bay Area & Californialink
• Nevadasportsnetlink
• Presstelegramlink
• The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionlink
• The Guardianlink
• Theshadowleaguelink
• Linda Cohn — video link