The Dream Continues: Atlanta Forces Historic Game 7 In The WNBA Finals
Atlanta Dream forces Game 7 in WNBA Finals, defeating Golden State 80-69 behind hot shooting and strong defense led by Angel Reese's double-double performance.
Black News 
ATL HOE.
That’s the feeling in Atlanta after the Dream ties up the WNBA Finals 80-69 to force a deciding Game 7 against the Golden State Valkyries. The Dream came out hot, scoring 30 points in the first quarter after failing to reach that mark in the first half of Game 5.
Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray scored 21 points each, while Angel Reese added 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists, returning to double-double form. Her two three-pointers extend the Dream’s win streak when she scores at least one. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points, but it was too little, too late.
Despite the controversy over a 12:30 p.m. EST start, which meant Golden State fans had to watch just after their morning coffee, the Dream sold out State Farm Arena in Atlanta and got the dub, with Wanda Sykes, Usher, Boosie, Webbie, and Gunna looking on.
T-Pain, Crime Mob and Young Dro performed during the game. T.I. and Tiny’s 10-year-old daughter, Heiress Harris, sang the national anthem.
“Every time we threw the first punch, we won the game,” Reese said after the win. “So just being able to set the tone early — I mean we ain’t have everybody come out at 12:30 for no reason.”
She added, “We appreciate the fan support on a weekday; the fans came out and supported us, every single game, so we want to make sure we ended this right here.”
She called teammates Gray and Howard “MVP-caliber players” and referenced a players-only meeting that she says helped unite the team. “I’m just really proud of this group,” Reese said. And the job is not done. One more.”
The difference in Game 6 was that the Dream’s three-point shot started falling. They shot 43.3% from the three-point line, while Golden State hit just 7-of-27. The Dream also scored fast and early, jumping out to a 25-point lead with production from Gray and Howard, who had struggled to be consistent in previous games.
“It’s do or die. It’s win or go home,” Howard said. “I have to be a good leader for this team. I have to set the tone early, and that’s what I did today.”
Atlanta had 15 turnovers to Golden State’s 11, fewer steals (6 to 10), and fewer fast-break points (4 to 10). But the Dream’s defense helped them overcome those stats as they forced Golden State to shoot 31.4% for the game and 9-of-34 in the first half. Atlanta also blocked 8 shots to the Valks 2.
Looking ahead to Game 7, both teams have to play to their strengths. In Game 5, Golden State held the Dream to 55 points. But in Game 6, the Dream were able to use their weapons better to ensure they held Golden State to 69 points while getting their shots to fall.
The Finals head back to the Chase Center in San Francisco for a deciding Game 7. Ballhalla, the Chase Center’s nickname when the Valkyries play, has been the Valks’ sixth player in the Finals, with its loud, passionate fans.
In just their second season, the Valkyries are poised to take the title. But the Dream, who has been to the WNBA Finals three times without a win until this season, wants to claim the title on their fourth try.
“We feel good,” Golden State guard Veronica Burton said to the media in the post-game presser. “We feel great. Obviously it’s a tough one; we knew Game 6 would be tough, but at the same time, it’s not going to be handed to us just because we’re at Ballhalla.
Burton added, “We love Ballhalla; we have the best fans, but it’s going to be a dogfight. Both teams want it, so the mindset is a sense of urgency. It is do or die.”
Watch the Game 6 highlights below:
