'Locked in' Gray, Dream hold off Valkyries, force first Finals Game 7 — SkimNews
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- Allisha Gray scored 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, sealing Atlanta's 80-69 win and forcing the first Game 7 in league history
- Atlanta Dream outscored the Golden State Valkyries 32-15 in the first quarter, hitting six 3-pointers and holding a 25-point halftime lead—the largest by a team facing elimination in Finals history
- Allisha Gray played through multiple injured fingers on her left hand, which required a minor procedure after the semifinals and had previously limited her shooting effectiveness
- Angel Reese recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds while encouraging Gray pregame, emphasizing mental toughness and confidence as key to overcoming elimination pressure
- Rhyne Howard added 21 points and four 3-pointers, joining Gray and Reese in a high-energy performance that included visible trash-talking and crowd engagement at State Farm Arena
- Atlanta Dream became the second team in WNBA Finals history to make at least six 3-pointers and shoot 75% or better from beyond the arc in a single quarter, accomplishing the feat in the first quarter of Game 6
Why it matters: The Dream’s first-quarter explosion and ability to force Game 7 shifts momentum in a series where Golden State had controlled pace and physicality, giving Atlanta a rare second chance despite Gray’s documented injury limitations and the Valkyries’ defensive strength.
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