Atlanta Dream forces seventh‑game WNBA Final after 80‑69 win in relocated Game Six

The Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 80‑69 in Game Six of the WNBA Finals, leveling the best‑of‑seven series at three games apiece and creating the first ever deciding Game 7 in league history. The win came after the contest was moved from the Dream’s 3,500‑seat Gateway Center Arena to the 16,888‑capacity State Farm Arena to avoid a scheduling clash with an Atlanta Hawks NBA game.

Atlanta’s victory was built on strong contributions from its starters. Allisha Gray scored 23 points, Rhyne Howard added 21, and Angel Reese recorded a double‑double with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. The Dream opened a 17‑point first‑quarter lead and never relinquished control, out‑shooting Golden State for the remainder of the match.

Golden State’s Gabby Williams led all scorers with 26 points, but the Valkyries trailed early, falling behind 32‑15 after the first quarter and 46‑26 at halftime. The Valkyries were unable to close the gap despite a late‑game surge, and the Dream’s defense held firm in the final minutes.

The relocation of Game Six sparked criticism from the Dream organization, which said its concerns about the scheduling conflict were not given sufficient attention. An open letter from the team highlighted the impact of moving the game to a larger venue and an earlier start time, but the State Farm Arena was sold out, indicating strong fan support for the Dream’s championship bid.

Australian rookie Izzy Borlase, who logged 12 minutes off the bench, remains hopeful of becoming the 12th Australian player to win a WNBA title. The Dream will travel to San Francisco for Game 7 on Sunday, where the winner will claim the franchise’s first championship.