ATLANTA — The Atlanta Dream secured a crucial 80-69 victory over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday, forcing a decisive Game 7. The win kept Atlanta’s hopes alive for its first WNBA championship, setting up a winner-takes-all contest at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night.

The Dream, who had struggled offensively in the previous two games, found their shooting stroke when it mattered most. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 23 points, while Rhyne Howard contributed 21 points. Angel Reese added a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, helping the team maintain control despite a late rally from Golden State.

After scoring season lows in Games 4 and 5, the Dream’s offensive resurgence was a welcome development. Reese acknowledged the frustration that had built up due to the team’s shooting woes but expressed confidence in their ability to turn things around. “It’s been frustrating for all of us not being able to shoot great ... and open shots that we have been getting, not hitting them at the right time,” she said. “And I always told the girls it’s not going to rain forever. And we were able to maximize that moment today. The sun peeked out a little bit more today and gave us an opportunity to see Game 7.”

Golden State’s defense, which had been dominant in previous matchups, faced challenges containing the Dream’s renewed offensive energy. The Valkyries had outperformed the Dream’s scoring in earlier games, including a 67-62 win in Game 5, but could not sustain their defensive intensity in Game 6.

Game 7 promises to be a closely contested battle as both teams vie for their inaugural WNBA championship. The winner will claim the league’s top prize in front of a home crowd at the Chase Center. With momentum swinging back to Atlanta, both squads will look to leverage their strengths and experience under the pressure of a winner-take-all setting.