The Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday, forcing a Game 7 in San Francisco on Saturday. The victory evens the best-of-seven series at 3-3, setting up a potential championship decider at Chase Center.
Game 7 will be played Saturday, October 31, with the winner crowned as the 2026 WNBA champion. The series shifts back to Golden State after Atlanta’s home win, marking the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history.
Atlanta’s Angel Reese delivered a historic performance, recording 15 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists while setting a new WNBA Finals series record with 78 rebounds through six games. Reese’s dominance on the boards surpassed the previous record of 76 rebounds in a Finals series. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 23 points, while Rhyne Howard added 21 points.
The Dream stormed out to a 13-0 first-quarter run, building a 32-15 lead by the end of the period. Atlanta extended its advantage to 20 points by halftime, but Golden State responded with a second-half rally. Gabby Williams scored 26 points for the Valkyries, who cut the deficit to single digits late in the fourth quarter. However, Atlanta’s early surge proved insurmountable, securing the win and extending the series.
Scheduling Controversy Surrounds Game 6
The 12:30 p.m. ET start time for Game 6 sparked debate after the league rescheduled the game to accommodate a doubleheader at State Farm Arena, home of both the Dream and the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks played their own game Thursday night, forcing the WNBA to move the Finals contest to an early afternoon slot.
A multiparty negotiation involving the WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Atlanta Hawks CEO Steve Koonin, and Versant (Game 6 media rights holder) led to the compromise. The Dream had raised concerns about potential scheduling conflicts two months prior, according to an open letter from the team’s ownership, though league sources stated these concerns were addressed.
The early start time drew criticism from fans and players alike, with some arguing it disadvantaged the league’s visibility. Despite the timing, State Farm Arena sold out, with over 17,000 fans in attendance. The arena highlighted the unusual circumstances with a "Work from Home Cam" during pregame festivities, spotlighting fans who appeared to take time off work to attend.
Players Skip Anthem for Sixth Straight Game
For the sixth consecutive game, players from both teams left the court before 10-year-old Heiress Harris, daughter of rapper T.I., sang the national anthem. The absences drew mixed reactions from fans outside the arena.
Renard Hayes, father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes, defended the players’ decision, stating, “This is America… they can choose what they want.” He added that he did not view the absence as a disrespect to the flag, despite his military service. A male Valkyries fan expressed respect for the players’ beliefs but preferred they remain on the court. Conversely, a Dream fan argued that everyone should stand for the anthem.
The anthem controversy followed Golden State’s 64-55 win in Game 5, which gave them a 3-2 series lead and a chance to clinch the championship in Game 6. The Dream’s victory forced the series to Game 7, delaying a potential Valkyries title celebration.