Hours before the WNBA Finals tip off on Saturday, star Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray remains day-to-day with a hand injury, leaving her status for Game 1 in question. This is a monumental matchup for the Dream, their first Finals appearance since way back in 2013, as they stare down the Golden State Valkyries. Everyone’s holding their breath for any update on Gray, because her return could truly flip this series on its head.
The Road Back to the Court
Gray told reporters on Friday that her pain and recovery have been good, which is exactly what you want to hear. She even got in her first full practice yesterday, a clear sign that things are looking up after she had a minor procedure on her hand earlier this week. We still don’t know the exact nature of the injury or the procedure the team is keeping that close to the vest, but Gray has been spotted with tape on her left ring and pinky fingers. The injury first sidelined her in Game 1 of the semifinal series against the New York Liberty, forcing her out during the first half and making her miss the next two games of the three-game sweep. So, she’s been out of action for a bit. She put up shots with the team on Thursday, further fueling hope for her return. But for now, Gray is officially listed as “questionable” for Game 1. The biggest question mark, straight from Gray herself: “I’ll warm up tomorrow and then the medical staff will give me the thumbs up or thumb down. So we’ll see.” Talk about high stakes, right?
Why Gray Is a Game-Changer
Let’s be real, this Finals series is going to come down to defense. And when you talk defense, you absolutely have to talk about Allisha Gray. She is an absolute force on both ends of the court. This season, she led Atlanta in scoring with a stellar 19.0 points per game, landing her seventh in the entire league in total points. But it is not just her offense; she averages 1.4 steals per game and is a consistently solid defender on a team already stacked with top-tier defensive talent. Atlanta proved they can win without her by sweeping the Liberty, but having Gray back for Game 1? That’s not just an upgrade, that’s a whole new ball game. Her health is one of the massive questions defining this series.
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals kicks off Saturday, and every single fan, coach, and player will be looking for that “thumbs up” from the medical staff for Allisha Gray. Her presence would be massive, and we are all on the edge of our seats to see if she makes the cut.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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