Game 6 Recap: Dream vs. Valkyries

In moments during Game 5, the Atlanta Dream seemed completely outmatched. Angel Reese was struggling to score, Kiah Stokes was sinking three-pointers, and the Valkyries, having once been down 2-1 in the WNBA Finals, suddenly seized a 3-2 lead.

However, the unpredictability of these Finals reared its head once again in Game 6. Atlanta surged to a 17-point lead in the first quarter and maintained that momentum, propelled by their key players: Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Angel Reese.

Rhyne Howard had a significant impact in Game 6. After facing difficulties throughout the playoffs, she found her rhythm over the last three games, scoring 19 points in Game 4 and 20 in Game 5. But in this critical elimination game on Thursday, Howard was on fire, scoring 21 points on 6-for-11 shooting, including a solid 4-for-6 from three-point range, along with contributing 4 assists and 4 rebounds.

Allisha Gray, who missed the semifinals due to a hand injury and had been quiet in the Finals up to that point, had an outstanding game. She put up 23 points, with an impressive shooting stat of 8-for-12, including 5-for-7 from beyond the arc. Considering she had shot just 28.1% from the field and 19.2% from three in the first five games, her performance in Game 6 marked a notable turnaround.

After the game, Reese shared that she had been supportive of Gray as she navigated through her shooting slump.

“You that girl… You’re a superstar,” Reese recalled telling Gray after Game 5. “Act like a superstar, and always be a superstar. We following right behind you.”

As for Angel Reese, despite underwhelming performances in the previous two games, she bounced back with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Her timely shots in the fourth quarter, including a pivotal three-pointer that pushed Atlanta’s lead to 19 with just under six minutes remaining, were critical.

All three players were All-Stars this season, and they showcased their talents brilliantly in front of a home crowd at State Farm Arena.

Their stellar play helped Atlanta force a decisive Game 7, which will take place on Saturday night at Ballhala.

The Valkyries’ Scoring Struggles Continue

On the other hand, Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points on 8-for-22 shooting and added 3 steals to her performance.

The only other player to hit double figures was Tiffany Hayes, who contributed 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Kiah Stokes had a tough game, finishing with 0 points on 0-for-2 shooting, while Veronica Burton and Cecilia Zandalasini didn’t perform as well as they had in the previous victories, scoring only 8 and 9 points, respectively.

The Valkyries did have some advantages, attempting 70 shots compared to Golden State’s 62, with more steals and fewer turnovers. Yet, they simply could not find the basket, finishing the game with a dismal 31% shooting from the field and just 26% from three.

In contrast, the Dream capitalized on their opportunities, shooting 43% from beyond the arc in this crucial matchup. They started strong, making 6 of their first 8 three-point attempts, which shifted the dynamics of the series early on.

Game 7 between the Dream and the Valkyries is set to tip off on Saturday night at 8 PM ET at the Chase Center.