Gray optimistic about her availability for Dream in Game 1 of WNBA Finals — SkimNews
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- Allisha Gray said she's 'cautiously optimistic' about suiting up for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals Saturday against the Golden State Valkyries, deferring the final call to medical staff.
- Gray has been out since injuring her left ring finger in Game 1 of the semifinals against the New York Liberty and recently underwent a minor surgical procedure she described as necessary for a chance to play in the Finals.
- The four-time All-Star was limited in practice Thursday but showed no signs of pain while shooting; her ring and pinkie fingers were taped together during the workout, and she wore a bulkier brace afterward.
- Dream coach Karl Smesko said the team has built two game plans — one with Gray available, one without — and identified DeWanna Bonner as the player most impacted by the lineup uncertainty.
- Gray averaged 17 points and two steals in three 2026 postseason games before the injury, and said her competitive nature drove her back into the semifinal Game 1 before she realized she couldn't help the team.
Why it matters: The Dream have effectively split their Finals preparation all week, with two parallel game plans and Bonner absorbing the heaviest adjustment load in any scenario without their 17-point-per-game postseason scorer. Gray's hand and the medical staff's call now directly determine whether Atlanta opens the Finals at full strength or reshuffled around her absence.
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