Valkyries lead 45-44 in tense Game 7

The Golden State Valkyries hold a 45-44 lead over the Atlanta Dream at the end of the third quarter in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals. The contest is being played Saturday night in San Francisco. Golden State needed a win in the final two quarters to claim the championship after forcing a decisive seventh game. The Dream fought back from a deficit in Game 6 to extend the series, setting up a one-game winner-take-all scenario.

Starting lineups featured Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Naz Hillmon for Atlanta. Golden State fielded Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, Kiah Stokes, Gabby Williams, and Veronica Burton. The opening period was sluggish for Atlanta, which shot 0-for-8 from the field. The Dream did not score until Angel Reese made a layup with 4:40 remaining in the first quarter. Despite the slow start, Reese and Allisha Gray secured key rebounds that helped Atlanta score seven consecutive points. The Valkyries finished the quarter with a 14-12 lead after a jumper by Veronica Burton.

Atlanta reversed momentum early in the second half. The Dream opened the quarter with a 9-0 run, led by a three-pointer from Reese. The team is undefeated in the playoffs when Reese makes a three-point shot. Golden State struggled offensively, going 3-for-17 from the field during the period. Their first points in the second quarter came from a pair of free throws by Burton with 4:55 left. Both teams shot poorly from long range, with Atlanta 3-for-16 and Golden State 1-for-11. Jordin Canada led all scorers with 13 points at halftime, while Reese had seven rebounds.

Gabby Williams took over in the third quarter. She scored 15 of her 17 total points in that period, including three three-pointers. Her shooting sparked a 17-7 run for the Valkyries that erased a nine-point lead held by Atlanta. The Dream had dominated the second quarter, but the Golden State offense re-energized in the third. The scoring remained tight and competitive throughout the period. The game is currently in a state of flux as the teams head into the final stretch.

The next step is the fourth quarter, which will determine the 2026 WNBA champion. The Dream must overcome a one-point deficit in the final period. The game is scheduled to conclude with the final buzzer, awarding the title to the team with the higher score.