Atlanta Dream force a Game 7 in 2026 WNBA Finals, with Allisha Gray’s five triples vs. Golden State Valkyries

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals ended with the Atlanta Dream earning a must-win victory over the Golden State Valkyries, tying the championship series 3-3. The WNBA’s live updates credited Allisha Gray with 23 points and five made three-pointers, while Rhyne Howard added 21 points for Atlanta as both teams reset their postseason goals heading into a decisive seventh game.

The WNBA updates described Gray’s scoring as pivotal late in regulation. With just over one minute left, she hit her fifth three-pointer to give Atlanta separation.

Golden State had responded in the latter stages of the game as well. The live blog said the Valkyries put together a 9-1 run to reduce Atlanta’s lead to 11 with 2:36 remaining in Game 6, keeping the outcome in reach as the closing minutes approached.

Atlanta’s lead was also extended and defended through additional third-quarter and late-game production. The updates noted that Gabby Williams reached 20 points after making a three-pointer to cut Golden State’s deficit to 14, and that the Dream’s offence included a stretch featuring back-to-back threes by Gray and Angel Reese with just over five minutes left in regulation.

Reese added to her banner afternoon, with the WNBA’s live recap stating she recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds to log her fourth double-double of the 2026 WNBA Finals. The league updates also positioned that mark as the second-most double-doubles in a single series in WNBA Finals history.

The game’s scoring pattern reflected a strong Atlanta advantage that carried into the fourth quarter. According to the live updates, the Valkyries outscored the Dream 21-17 in the third quarter, but Atlanta still held a 16-point lead entering the final frame of Game 6.

In the third quarter, Golden State narrowed its deficit with consecutive baskets to bring the trailing margin to 20 points. The live blog also said Rhyne Howard led all scorers with 17 points with seven minutes left in the third quarter after making two free throws.

Atlanta’s advantage started early. The WNBA updates reported that the Dream opened Game 6 with a 31-13 first quarter, described as the most points by either Finals team in a quarter of the series.

At halftime, Atlanta led Golden State 46-26, based on the league’s live statistics. The WNBA notes included Howard with 11 points at the break (and specific shooting and rebounding figures), Gray also with 10 points, Tiffany Hayes with 11 points, and Cecilia Zandalasini with seven points.

The league’s live updates outlined several key first-half scoring moments that supported Atlanta’s cushion, including Allisha Gray and Naz Hillmon draining three-pointers for an early 6-4 lead, and Angel Reese converting a bucket plus the foul to give Atlanta an 11-5 edge with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Dream were also described as using a defensive rebound to fuel fast-break scoring, which helped extend Atlanta’s second-quarter lead.

With the series now tied, the WNBA confirmed the scheduling consequence: Golden State will host the league’s first-ever Game 7 to decide the 2026 WNBA Champions. The live updates set Game 7 for Saturday, October 31 at 8 p.m. ET, with broadcast coverage on USA Network and Peacock.

Beyond the immediate matchup, the shift to a Game 7 carries league-wide significance. The WNBA live recap specifically identified it as the first time the league will hold a Finals Game 7, making the October 31 contest a historic championship decider for both franchises.

The WNBA’s Game 6 live recap also included the notation that Angel Reese knocked down her first three-pointer since Game 2 during the game, adding another milestone to the Dream’s offensive output as Atlanta protected its lead into the final minutes.