The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 80 to 69 in Game 6 today, Oct. 29, at State Farm Arena, tying the WNBA Finals at 3 games apiece. That sets up the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, Saturday, Oct. 31, at 8 p.m. ET at Golden State. Neither franchise has ever won a WNBA title, so somebody’s first championship arrives on Halloween night.
Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 23 points, and Rhyne Howard added 21. Gabby Williams scored 26 for the Valkyries. But the most telling number of the night came from someone else, and it may be the one to watch Saturday.
How did the Dream force WNBA Finals Game 7?
Atlanta came out shooting like a team that refused to go home. After managing only 22 first half points in a Game 5 loss, the Dream matched that total in the first 6 minutes 30 seconds Thursday. They hit 6 of 8 threes in the opening quarter, ripped off 13 straight points behind two Jordin Canada threes and led 32 to 15 after one.
Golden State made just 9 of 34 shots in the first half and trailed 46 to 26 at the break. The Dream’s lead reached 25. The Valkyries rallied late and got within 8 points, but Gray answered with a dagger three in the final minutes.
THE DREAM FORCE THE FIRST EVER GAME 7 IN WNBA FINALS HISTORY 😤 https://t.co/Cmt5mvYePV
— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2026
Why was Allisha Gray’s Game 6 so impressive?
Gray has played the entire Finals with a left hand injury. On Thursday, she shot 8 of 12 from the field and 5 of 7 from three. At halftime, she said she was not ready for her season to end. She played like it.
Howard was nearly as dangerous, hitting four threes, including one to open the second half. Midway through the third quarter, Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was called for a flagrant foul after officials ruled she made unnecessary contact with Howard’s face on a drive.
Did the 12:30 p.m. tipoff hurt the Dream?
The weekday afternoon start drew heavy criticism, with fans worried about work and school. Atlanta still announced a sellout, and a crowd of 17,099 left only scattered empty seats in the upper level. In the closing minutes, the arena was chanting for the Dream.
That crowd matters for context. Atlanta has watched this team grow into a title contender, and Thursday showed the city will show up at almost any hour.
What could decide WNBA Finals Game 7?
Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said her team did not match Atlanta’s desperation or physicality. Burton called the Valkyries’ first quarter unacceptable. Expect a different Golden State team at home, where the Valkyries won Game 5 to move within one win of the title.
The best-of-seven format is new. It debuted last season, and the 2025 Finals ended in a Las Vegas sweep. This is the first time the series has gone the full seven.
Atlanta has one number on its side. Angel Reese finished Game 6 with a double double, 15 points and 13 rebounds, while playing the fourth quarter with five fouls. She also hit a corner three in the second quarter. Entering today, the Dream were 15 and 0 this season when Reese made at least one three. After Game 6, that streak is 16 and 0.
Reese said afterward the job is not done and that Atlanta needs one more. If history is a guide, Saturday may come down to a simple question that has never had a losing answer this season. Will Angel Reese hit a three?
