Sports · Basketball · 3 hrs ago
Atlanta Dream beat Valkyries to force WNBA Finals game seven
The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 to level the WNBA Finals and force a deciding game seven.
The series is now tied at three wins apiece, with the championship still undecided.
The game was moved to a larger venue and an earlier time to make room for an Atlanta Hawks NBA game.
The schedule change drew criticism because the Hawks' regular-season game took priority over the Dream's Finals push.
Australian rookie Izzy Borlase played 12 minutes as Atlanta's starters led the team to victory.
Borlase and the Dream will face the Valkyries in San Francisco on Sunday (AEDT) for the title.
A win would make Borlase the 12th Australian to win a WNBA championship.
Atlanta beat Golden State 80-69 in Game 6 to force a deciding game in the WNBA Finals.
The Dream built a 32-15 lead in the first quarter and held off a late Valkyries rally.
Allisha Gray scored 23 points for Atlanta, while Gabby Williams led all scorers with 26 for Golden State.
Both teams are seeking their first WNBA championship.
Sources differ on the timing of Game 7, describing it as Saturday night in the United States and Sunday in Australian time.
- Who
- The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries.
- What
- Atlanta won Game 6, 80-69, tying the WNBA Finals and forcing a deciding Game 7.
- When
- Game 6 was played on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Game 7 was listed for Saturday night in the United States and Sunday in Australian time.
- Where
- Game 6 was at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Game 7 is to be played at Golden State.
- Why
- Atlanta needed a win to keep its championship hopes alive after trailing 3-2 in the series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Golden State beat Atlanta 68-64 in Game 1 of the Finals.
Atlanta won Games 2 and 3 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Golden State won Games 4 and 5 to move ahead 3-2.
Atlanta beat Golden State 80-69 in Game 6 to tie the series at 3-3.
Game 7 was scheduled for Saturday night in the United States; ABC Australia described it as Sunday in Australian time.
- Game 6 score
- Atlanta Dream 80, Golden State Valkyries 69
- Series after Game 6
- Tied 3-3
- Atlanta's leading scorer
- Allisha Gray, 23 points
- Golden State's leading scorer
- Gabby Williams, 26 points
- Game 6 venue
- State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- Game 7 venue
- Chase Center, San Francisco
5 sources
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