For the first time in league history, the WNBA Finals will be decided in a winner-take-all Game 7 after the Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 on Thursday, forcing a final championship showdown in San Francisco.
Atlanta Stuns Golden State to Force Historic Seventh Game
The Atlanta Dream kept their championship hopes alive by dismantling the Golden State Valkyries in Game 6 at State Farm Arena. Golden State entered the matchup with an opportunity to clinch the title on the road, but Atlanta stormed out to a 32-15 lead after the first quarter alone, building a 20-point halftime advantage that tied for the fourth-largest in WNBA Finals history.
"Championship mentality… The job is not done." 😤Angel Reese (15 PTS, 14 REB, 6 AST) delivers as the @AtlantaDream defend home court and force Game 7! pic.twitter.com/juygIwSkbv
The decisive Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Tickets for the championship finale start at $386, with the broadcast slated across USA Network, Peacock, and CNBC.
Scoring Output and Shooting Splits Across the Decisive Matchup
Atlanta’s offense caught fire from beyond the arc early, converting 12 of 30 attempts from 3-point range and leading by as many as 25 points during the third quarter. Allisha Gray paced the Dream with 23 points, knocking down five of her seven attempts from deep despite managing a hand injury she admitted had not been 100%.
Guard Rhyne Howard added 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese contributed 15 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists. The Dream improved to a flawless 19-0 record across the regular season and playoffs whenever Reese connects on at least one 3-pointer.
| Team | Field Goals | 3-Pointers | Key Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Dream | Not reported | 12-of-30 | Allisha Gray (23 pts), Rhyne Howard (21 pts) |
| Golden State Valkyries | 22-of-70 (31%) | 7-of-27 (26%) | Gabby Williams (26 pts), Tiffany Hayes (15 pts) |
On the other side, Golden State struggled mightily from the field, finishing at just 31% overall. Two-time All-Star Gabby Williams tried to spark a late rally by scoring 26 points—including 22 in the second half and 10 straight in the fourth quarter—while teammate Tiffany Hayes chipped in 15 points in a losing effort.
Locker Room Reactions and the Path to the Chase Center
Reflecting on the elimination-game pressure, Dream forward Angel Reese emphasized the squad’s mental shift heading into the contest.
All we needed was a little bit of swagger going into this, a little bit of confidence. And I think everybody’s just in a really great headspace right now.
Angel Reese, Dream forward, via WSB-TV
Gray echoed that sentiment regarding her physical management and competitive drive during the postseason.
What I’m dealing with is the playoffs, but the biggest thing for me is just doing other things to help my team out. Shots were falling today, so I’ll take that. But I feel like it starts on the defensive end.
Allisha Gray, Dream guard, via WSB-TV
Where Saturday’s Decider Fits in WNBA History
The upcoming championship clash marks the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. The league expanded its finals format to a best-of-seven series in 2025, when the Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in four games. Before 2025, the series used a best-of-five format dating back to 2005, following earlier best-of-three and single-game formats.
Both franchises are chasing their first-ever WNBA title. Game 7 tips off on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco.