For the first time in WNBA history, we are headed to a Game 7 in the Finals! The Atlanta Dream absolutely erupted for 32 points in the first quarter of Game 6, then held off a late push from the Golden State Valkyries to tie up the 2026 WNBA Finals at 3-3. What a series, right?
The Road to San Francisco and History
The Dream’s 80-69 win in Game 6 was HUGE. Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard combined for a whopping 44 points, and Angel Reese was a beast with 15 points and 14 rebounds. They forced this decisive Game 7, which tips off on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Now the pressure cooker shifts to the Bay Area, where the Valkyries were nearly unbeatable all regular season, losing just five games at home. Their *only* playoff loss at home was in Game 2 of this very Finals series against, you guessed it, the Dream. Neither of these teams has ever hoisted a WNBA title. Think about it: if the Valkyries pull this off on Saturday night, they would be the quickest expansion team to ever win it all. That’s serious history on the line!
Defensive Showdown or Offensive Explosion?
This series has been a straight-up slugfest. The Dream snagged home-court advantage with that Game 2 road victory, but then Golden State ripped control right back with a 67-62 win in Game 4. Here’s a wild stat: all of Golden State’s wins have been by less than 10 points. But when Atlanta wins, they win BIG, with all their victories coming by double digits. If Game 7 is a nail-biter, that likely favors the Valkyries.
Why? Well, the Valkyries were the league’s best defensive squad all regular season, and it wasn’t even close. They gave up just 75.1 points per game, a massive 7.6 points better than the second-place Washington Mystics. They were number one in opponent field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and even assists allowed. But don’t sleep on the Dream’s D either. Atlanta was the absolute best at forcing turnovers, and thanks to current WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Angel Reese, they ranked second in rebounds allowed per game. We’re talking about the two best defensive teams in the playoffs squaring off for the ultimate prize.
This is it. Game 7 on Saturday night. Dream vs. Valkyries. The spread has the Valkyries favored by 1.5, with the total at 143.5. Dream at -105, Valkyries at -115 on the money line. Everything is on the line. One game to make history, one game to call yourselves champions. You seriously don’t want to miss this!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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