3 days ago
7
Before this WNBA Finals series began, I picked the Atlanta Dream to knock off the Golden State Valkyries in six games.
It would hardly make sense, then, for me to reverse course and pick the Valkyries to win Saturday's Game 7, even though they will begin the game as a slight favorite.
In all seriousness though, the Dream's 80-69 victory in Atlanta on Thursday showed why, when firing on all cylinders -- or even most -- they should be able to withstand the hostile atmosphere inside Chase Center and ride the best player in the series to a Game 7 win.
Why Reese and the Dream will take down the Valkyries
The Angel Reese factor is a big one. Slowed significantly by Kiah Stokes in the middle of this series, Reese snapped back to life on Thursday and flirted with a triple-double. She registered 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists while setting the Finals record with 78 total rebounds.
The Dream started fast, playing Game 6 at their tempo and forcing the Valkyries into a shootout that Golden State is not exactly equipped to handle. In each of the Dream's three wins in this series, Atlanta has forced at least 10 Golden State turnovers, including 15 in Game 6.
I asked Angel Reese about playing with joy again, and the Dream getting that back. Reese’s “When we can punch first, we’ve won every game.” Reese says that Naz Hillmon reminded the entire team “remember who you are.”
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) October 29, 2026Valkyries guard Veronica Burton told the media after Game 6 that she believes her team is in a "good spot" heading back to its Ballhalla fortress on Saturday. But the Dream will feel comfortable too after Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard both had their best games of the Finals on Thursday.
Gray scored a team-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a 5-of-7 mark from three-point range, while Howard dropped 21 on 6-of-11 shooting with four made threes. Golden State had been able to keep Atlanta's All-Star duo quiet for much of the first five games; if they continue their hot shooting in Game 7, the Dream will take the game offensively to a place where the Valkyries cannot go.
In Game 2 of this series, the Dream teetered. Atlanta needed a big third quarter to even up the Finals and avoid a 2-0 hole. In that game, Reese simply refused to let the Dream lose, the individual outshining the Valkyries' collective.
Game 7 will be the same way. Atlanta will push the pace, and Golden State won't be able to establish its downtempo possession game. If that prediction holds true, the Dream will end the longest season in WNBA history with a championship on Halloween.
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