Angel Reese sets a WNBA Finals rebounding record while Allisha Gray scores 23 points and Rhyne Howard adds 21, helping Atlanta keep its championship hopes alive.
The Atlanta Dream forced the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history with an 80-69 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday, October 29, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Allisha Gray led the Dream with 23 points, while Rhyne Howard scored 21 and Angel Reese delivered a double-double to keep Atlanta’s championship hopes alive.
The victory tied the best-of-seven series at three games apiece and prevented Golden State from claiming its first WNBA title. Both franchises will now meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday, October 31, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Atlanta entered Thursday facing elimination after consecutive losses in Games 4 and 5. The Dream responded with their strongest offensive start of the series, building a commanding early advantage that Golden State could not overcome.
Angel Reese Sets WNBA Finals Rebounding Record
Reese finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists despite struggling with her shooting. The 24-year-old forward made five of 18 field-goal attempts but contributed through rebounding, passing and creating scoring opportunities for her teammates.
Her 14 rebounds brought her series total to 78, establishing a new WNBA Finals record for rebounds in a single championship series. The previous record belonged to Sylvia Fowles, who collected 75 rebounds during the Minnesota Lynx’s five-game championship series in 2017.
Reese also recorded her fourth double-double of the series, placing her among the most productive rebounders in Finals history. Her performance came after two difficult games in which Golden State’s defense had limited her offensive effectiveness.
The Dream forward connected on two of eight three-point attempts, ending a stretch of missed opportunities from beyond the arc. Atlanta improved to 16-0 this season in games when Reese made at least one three-pointer.
Reese acknowledged that her outside shooting had been frustrating, but said her teammates encouraged her to remain confident. Rather than relying exclusively on scoring near the basket, she helped Atlanta move the ball and find open shooters.
Her passing made an immediate impact as she assisted on Atlanta’s first two baskets. Allisha Gray and Naz Hillmon converted those opportunities into three-pointers, giving the Dream an early offensive rhythm.
According to The Associated Press, Reese’s ability to contribute despite her shooting difficulties helped Atlanta recover from its disappointing performances earlier in the series. Her rebounding and playmaking forced Golden State to defend multiple areas of the court.
Allisha Gray Leads Atlanta’s Offensive Breakthrough
Gray delivered one of her strongest performances of the playoffs, scoring 23 points on eight-of-12 shooting. She connected on five of seven three-point attempts and helped Atlanta maintain its advantage throughout the game.
Her performance was especially important after she struggled with a hand injury earlier in the postseason. Gray had experienced difficulty finding her shooting rhythm, but Thursday’s game showed a significant improvement in her accuracy and confidence.
Gray also contributed six rebounds, two steals and three blocked shots, providing Atlanta with valuable defensive production. Her ability to make shots from long range forced Golden State to stretch its defense and created more room for Atlanta’s other scorers.
Coach Karl Smesko praised the way his team executed offensively after two disappointing performances. He said the Dream had returned to the spacing and faster pace that helped define their success during the season.
Rhyne Howard provided another important scoring threat, finishing with 21 points and four three-pointers. Her long-range shooting helped Atlanta prevent Golden State from concentrating its defense entirely on Gray and Reese.
Together, Gray and Howard made nine three-pointers, accounting for most of Atlanta’s 13 successful shots from beyond the arc. Their combined production gave the Dream the offensive balance they had lacked in the previous two games.
Dream Build Huge Lead With Explosive First Quarter
Atlanta controlled the opening period, outscoring Golden State 32-15 while making six of eight three-point attempts. The Dream shot 11 of 15 overall in the quarter, quickly establishing a lead that reached double digits.
The early surge included a 13-0 scoring run as Golden State missed seven consecutive shots. Atlanta’s defense pressured the Valkyries into difficult attempts while its offense moved the ball effectively around the perimeter.
By halftime, the Dream led 46-26, holding a 20-point advantage after limiting Golden State to just 26 first-half points. The Valkyries made only nine of 34 field-goal attempts before the break, struggling to generate consistent offense.
Atlanta’s biggest lead eventually reached 25 points, putting Golden State in a difficult position. However, the Valkyries refused to abandon their comeback attempt and gradually reduced the deficit during the second half.
Golden State outscored Atlanta 21-17 in the third quarter, cutting the Dream’s lead to 63-47 entering the final period. The Valkyries continued attacking in the fourth quarter, creating pressure with improved shooting and defensive intensity.
Gabby Williams led Golden State with 26 points, including 21 in the second half, while Tiffany Hayes added 15. Williams helped the Valkyries reduce Atlanta’s lead to eight points late in the game, briefly threatening an unlikely comeback.
Gray ultimately ended Golden State’s strongest push with another three-pointer in the final minute. The shot extended Atlanta’s lead to 80-69 and effectively secured the victory.
Game 6 Scheduling Draws Attention
Thursday’s game was played at 12:30 p.m. Eastern rather than the originally scheduled 8 p.m. start. The WNBA moved the game to accommodate an Atlanta Hawks NBA game scheduled for the same evening at State Farm Arena.
The unusual afternoon start created concerns about attendance and television audiences, particularly because the game began at 9:30 a.m. on the West Coast. Despite those concerns, Atlanta announced a sellout and played before an enthusiastic home crowd.
Reuters reported that the scheduling change had caused frustration within the Dream organization, which was appearing in its first WNBA Finals since 2013. The team’s strong performance prevented the championship from being decided during a weekday afternoon.
The 2026 Finals have also attracted substantial television interest, reflecting the growing popularity of women’s professional basketball. The WNBA reported strong viewership earlier in the series, adding attention to the league’s first championship series requiring seven games.
Winner-Take-All Game 7 Set for Saturday
Neither Atlanta nor Golden State has won a WNBA championship, making Saturday’s deciding game a historic opportunity for both franchises. The Dream previously reached the Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013 but lost each championship series.
The Valkyries, who began playing in 2025, have reached the Finals in just their second season. Their rapid rise has placed them one victory away from the first title in franchise history.
For Reese, the matchup presents another opportunity to win a championship after helping LSU capture the NCAA women’s basketball title in 2023. Her experience in high-pressure games could be valuable as Atlanta prepares for its most important contest of the season.
Golden State will have home-court advantage at Chase Center, where the Valkyries have already demonstrated their ability to frustrate Atlanta’s offense. The Dream must maintain the shooting accuracy and defensive intensity that allowed them to survive Game 6.
Saturday’s Game 7 is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern, or 5 p.m. Pacific, with national coverage on USA Network and Peacock. The championship will be decided in San Francisco, where one team will celebrate its first WNBA title.
IMAGE: Angel Reese. Photo: Alexander Jonesi / Wikimedia, taken 2022-02-25, CC BY-SA 2.0