Atlanta Dream Force First WNBA Finals Game 7 With Win Over Golden State Valkyries

The Atlanta Dream forced the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history by defeating the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, USA Today reported. Allisha Gray scored 23 points with five 3-pointers for the Dream, setting up a decisive championship game at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Hot Shooting Sets the Tone in Atlanta

The Game 6 matinee tipped off at 12:30 p.m. ET after the WNBA and the Atlanta Hawks adjusted schedules to accommodate the broadcast on USA Network and Peacock. Despite earlier criticism of the daytime start time, the game drew a sellout crowd of approximately 17,000 fans, according to AP News. Atlanta capitalized on the home atmosphere immediately by firing off six 3-pointers in the first quarter alone, matching their entire output from Game 5.

Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard carried the perimeter offense. Gray finished with 23 points, and Howard added 21 points with four triples. As a team, Atlanta shot 13 made 3-pointers.

Angel Reese provided 15 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists for the Dream. Reese set a WNBA Finals record with 78 total rebounds across the series. Reese also hit two 3-pointers in Game 6, maintaining a 16-0 record this season for Atlanta when she connects from long range.

Valkyries Struggle Early Before Responding

Gabby Williams scored 26 points and Tiffany Hayes added 15 points to lead the Valkyries. Golden State cut the deficit to eight with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter before Gray hit a dagger 3-pointer to secure the win.

Yeah, we didn’t give ourselves a good position to start out the game, but we feel good and there’s a lot to take away from the second, third and 4th quarter. Our defense (was) a little bit more like us, and so we’ll watch that, see the adjustments that they made, see where we can adjust.

Deciding Game in San Francisco

The series now shifts back to California for Game 7 on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 8 p.m. ET at the Chase Center, with television coverage on USA Network and Peacock. Both the Valkyries and the Dream are seeking their first WNBA franchise championship.

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