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WNBA Finals: Dream and Valkyries Battle in First Game 7
· Confirmed
In Short: The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will face off in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, with both teams vying for their first title.
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will meet in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, with both teams vying for their first WNBA title.
The series returns to Chase Center on Halloween for the decisive game, with the winner claiming its first championship.
In Game 6, the Dream responded with a strong performance, winning emphatically in Atlanta to force the series to a Game 7.
Michael Voepel, Alexa Philippou, and Kendra Andrews will provide live analysis and highlights throughout the game.
The Dream set the tone immediately in Game 6, knocking down 73.3% of its shots in the opening quarter to jump out to a 32-15 lead.
The Valkyries, despite their strong defense, struggled to keep up with the Dream's offensive surge, leading to their loss.
Gabby Williams, a standout player for the Valkyries, scored a game-high 30 points in Game 6 but could not secure the victory.
Angel Reese, a key player for the Dream, commented on the team's performance, saying, '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.'
The lunch time start for the first Game 6 in WNBA history has drawn plenty of confusion and criticism, but the game sold out after tickets went on sale Monday.
Saturday’s winner will claim its first WNBA championship, as neither franchise has ever lifted the league trophy.
The Dream's Angel Reese and the Valkyries' Kiah Stokes had a fierce battle throughout the series, with both players showcasing their defensive prowess.
The Valkyries are the WNBA's newest team, having been formed in 2024, and won in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 18,000 fans at San Francisco's Chase Center.
What this adds
The Dream's strong performance in Game 6 forced the series to a Game 7, marking the first time in WNBA Finals history.
The Valkyries' defense, which has the best defensive rating in the WNBA, was unable to contain the Dream's offensive surge.
The lunch time start for Game 6 has drawn criticism, but the game's significance has overshadowed the unorthodox timing.
The Dream's Angel Reese and the Valkyries' Gabby Williams have been key players throughout the series, with both players contributing significantly to their teams' success.
Background
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will meet in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, with both teams vying for their first WNBA title.
The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will face off in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, with both teams vying for their first title.
What's confirmed
- 4 Atlanta Dream on Saturday as both teams seek their first WNBA title in franchise history.
- ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 29: Angel Reese #5 of the Atlanta Dream and Kiah Stokes #41 of the Golden State Valkyries react during the second quarter in game six of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena on October 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
- 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.
- With the stage set for the 2026 WNBA Finals, the WNBA Showtime crew takes a look at how the Atlanta Dream will fare against the Golden State Valkyries.
- The Golden State Valkyries were formed in 2024 The Golden State Valkyries secured the Women's NBA title in just their second season with a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream.
What's still developing
- The WNBA moved to a best-of-seven format for the Finals last season, but Las Vegas won in a sweep.
- The 32 points marked the highest-scoring quarter by either team in the series, allowing the Dream to keep the lead in double digits for most of the contest and stave off elimination.
- The celebration spilled onto downtown streets after the final buzzer with live marching bands as fans chanted "Dream in 7." Golden State now looks to regroup on its home floor.
- Atlanta Dream has announced a list of official watch party locations.
- A decade ago, the Los Angeles Sparks captured the 2016 championship by winning Game 5 in Minneapolis.
- Since Game 7 airs on USA Network, it will also be available to watch live on any streaming service that carries said network, including DirecTV (with a five-day free trial ), Sling and Hulu + Live TV.
- The 33-year-old, who was named to the All-Defense Second Team, is averaging 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game in these playoffs.
- The No. 1 Minnesota Lynx will host the No. 8 New York Liberty in a rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, the No. 2 Valkyries will host the No. 7 Dallas Wings, the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces will begin their title defense against the No. 6 Indiana Fever, and the No. 4 Atlanta Dream will welcome the No. 5 Washington Mystics to town.
- The seeding for the 2026 WNBA playoffs came down to the final night of the regular season Thursday, but the matchups are finally set.
- "It's easy when the energy is this good and positive," said Williams.
- What have we learned from first round of Premiership?
- Williams also claimed the WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player award.