Dream beat Valkyries to force WNBA Finals decider after tipoff time backlash
· Yahoo Sports
Allisha Gray scored 23 points and Rhyne Howard added 21 as the sharp-shooting Atlanta Dream staved off a late Golden State Valkyries rally to claim an 80-69 victory in Game 6 on Thursday, drawing level in the WNBA Finals.
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A decisive Game 7 will take place at Golden State on Saturday night, with both franchises competing to secure their first WNBA championship.
After suffering their lowest scoring games of the Finals in back-to-back losses in Games 4 and 5, the Dream delivered an offensive revival when confronted with a must-win situation.
On Wednesday, the Dream announced a sellout crowd for Game 6 despite criticism of the 12:30pm EDT tipoff. Concerns over work and school obligations hurting attendance proved largely unfounded, with only scattered empty seats in the upper level.
Angel Reese recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta. Gabby Williams paced the Valkyries with 26 points, while Tiffany Hayes added 15.
Atlanta held a lead as large as 25 points before the Valkyries mounted a furious late charge, cutting the margin to 77-66 on two free throws by Laeticia Amihere with 1:57 remaining.
Angel Reese starred for Atlanta (Getty)Having been restricted to just 22 points in the first half of their 65-55 defeat in Game 5, the Dream matched that total within the opening 6:30 of the first quarter.
3-pointers provided much of the early momentum. Atlanta made 6 of 8 shots from beyond the arc and shot 11 of 15 overall while building a 32-15 lead in the opening period.
Leading 6-5, the Dream broke the game open with a 13-0 run that featured a pair of 3-pointers from Jordin Canada.
Reese joined the perimeter display by sinking a 3-pointer from the corner in the second quarter. Prior to the game, Atlanta boasted a perfect 15-0 record when Reese hit at least one 3-pointer.
Atlanta maintained its clinical shooting to establish a 46-26 halftime lead, while Golden State struggled to find rhythm. The Valkyries made only 9 of 34 shots in the half against Atlanta’s relentless defense.
Howard started the second half with another 3-pointer. Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was called for a flagrant foul midway through the third quarter after an officials’ review determined she made unnecessary windup and contact on Howard’s face during a drive.
Kaila Charles closed the third quarter with a 3-pointer for Golden State to reduce Atlanta’s lead to 16 points at 63-47. It marked the Dream’s smallest advantage since their first-quarter spurt.
Golden State pulled within 13 points at 68-55 before Gray and Reese hit 3-pointers to push the gap to 74-55. Williams cut the deficit to 77-69 before Gray delivered a crucial 3-pointer for Atlanta.
Hayes received her fifth foul during a collision for a loose ball with 5:01 left. She departed the court slowly after being attended to by a trainer.