Atlanta, GA — With the Atlanta Dream’s season hanging in the balance, Allisha Gray delivered the biggest shot of the night.
Gray connected on a clutch three-pointer from the right corner with less than a minute remaining Thursday, then turned toward the State Farm Arena crowd and celebrated as Atlanta moved closer to extending its season.
The Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, setting up the first winner-take-all Game 7 in league history.
Atlanta’s victory was fueled by a standout performance from Gray, who finished with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting. She knocked down five of her seven attempts from three-point range, providing the offensive spark the Dream needed to avoid elimination.
“I’m just locked in. It’s Game 6 — win or go home,” Gray told ESPN. “I didn’t want to go home. We have a championship to win.”
Gray’s performance was especially impressive considering the physical challenges she has dealt with throughout the postseason. She injured multiple fingers on her left hand during Game 1 of the semifinals and subsequently underwent a minor procedure. The injury has affected her shooting, forcing her to find other ways to contribute during the Finals.
On Thursday, however, her outside shot was working. Her 23-point effort marked the second-highest scoring playoff performance of her career. She also became just the second player in WNBA history to make at least five three-pointers in a Finals elimination game.
Gray made an impact defensively as well, recording two steals and three blocked shots. As the primary defender, she helped limit Golden State opponents to just 2-for-17 shooting.
“I’m just giving myself grace,” Gray said. “Shots were falling today, so I will take that. My teammates challenged me, and I believe I stepped up to that challenge. In Game 7, I can’t take my foot off the gas. I feel I can take it up to another level.”
Dream head coach Karl Smesko said he spoke with Gray on Wednesday about the importance of setting the tone for the team. He was pleased with how she translated the preparation from practice and film sessions into her performance.
“The execution from film and practice to the floor was flawless on her part,” Smesko said. “These are as big of games as anybody has been a part of. It was the first thing we said in the locker room: how proud we are of Allisha.”
Gray also received encouragement from teammate Angel Reese during the team’s return flight to Atlanta following its Game 5 loss. Reese reminded her that confidence and mental toughness would be essential with the season on the line.
“She might be hurting, but you can’t tell,” Reese said, referring to Gray’s injured hand, which she was icing during the flight.
“I told her, ‘This is going to be a mental game. You can’t let anyone check you out. You know exactly who you are.’ I want her to continue to be confident. I always remind her you are that girl. You’re a superstar, so act like a superstar.”
That message carried over into Thursday’s game. Atlanta entered the elimination contest determined to rediscover the confidence and personality that had helped the team win earlier in the series.
The players held a meeting without the coaching staff to discuss getting back to their identity. The message was clear: play with energy, confidence and the competitive edge that had helped them establish themselves during the Finals.
Reese made her presence felt early, directing words toward the Valkyries bench after connecting on her first three-pointer. Rhyne Howard celebrated her outside shooting with emphatic displays of emotion, while the Dream repeatedly encouraged the home crowd to get involved.
The energy translated into an impressive opening quarter.
Atlanta overwhelmed Golden State 32-15 in the first period, connecting on six three-pointers. The Dream became only the second team in WNBA Finals history to make at least six shots from beyond the arc while shooting 75% or better from three-point range in a single Finals quarter.
It was also the first time in franchise history that the Valkyries surrendered at least 30 points in the opening quarter.
Atlanta continued to dominate in the first half, building a 25-point advantage by halftime. That margin represented the largest halftime lead ever recorded by a team facing elimination in the WNBA Finals.
The Dream finished with 13 three-pointers, matching the Finals record for the most made by a team facing elimination.
Reese contributed 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Howard added 21 points and connected on four three-pointers. Their production, combined with Gray’s shooting and defensive effort, gave Atlanta the complete performance it needed.
“I’m proud of this group for the punch first that we emphasized,” Reese said. “When we punch first, we have won every single game. We have to make sure we continue that going forward.”
The victory keeps Atlanta’s championship hopes alive and sends the series to a decisive Game 7 on Saturday at Ballhalla in San Francisco. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The Dream have accomplished the immediate goal of extending the series, but Reese knows the challenge ahead will require another complete effort.
“Our job is not done,” Reese said. “We definitely could be happy about it, but we have more work to do. We have another level that we can get to.”
Atlanta has earned one more opportunity to compete for the championship. Now, the Dream must carry Thursday’s confidence and intensity into the final game of the season.
