Dream Force Game 7 Behind Reese’s Historic Rebounding In 80-69 Win | Who’s Winning?

Angel Reese set the all-time Finals rebounding record as Atlanta built a 25-point lead to push Golden State to a decisive Game 7.

ByKerooja

Facing elimination in front of a raucous sellout crowd at State Farm Arena, the Atlanta Dream delivered their most commanding performance of the postseason on Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2026. Atlanta jumped out to an explosive start and held off a fierce second-half rally to defeat the Golden State Valkyries 80-69 in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals. The wire-to-wire victory evened the best-of-seven championship series at 3-3, setting up the first Game 7 in league history. Frontcourt star Angel Reese anchored the triumph with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, officially breaking the all-time record for most rebounds in a single WNBA Finals series.

Explosive First-Quarter Blitz Overwhelms Golden State

Determined to avoid watching Golden State celebrate on their home floor, the Dream unleashed a blistering perimeter attack from the opening tip. Atlanta caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down six of their first eight three-point attempts and racing to an astounding 32-15 lead after ten minutes of play. Head coach Karl Smesko praised his squad for executing sharp ball movement and finding open shooters in rhythm against the league’s top-rated defense. That dominant opening surge allowed Atlanta to build a cushion as large as 25 points before halftime.

Allisha Gray spearheaded the scoring clinic on the perimeter, pouring in a team-high 23 points while shooting 5-of-7 from three-point territory. Gray consistently punished Golden State’s defensive lapses, adding six rebounds, three assists, and three blocks across 32 tenacious minutes. All-Star guard Rhyne Howard complemented Gray with 21 points of her own, drilling four perimeter triples and converting all five of her free throws. Together, Gray and Howard combined for nine of Atlanta’s thirteen three-pointers, completely disarming Golden State’s perimeter rotations.

Reese Rewrites The History Books On The Glass

While the guards provided perimeter fireworks, Reese dominated the interior to cement her name in basketball lore. The dynamic forward pulled down 14 boards to push her series total past 76 rebounds, surpassing the previous record for the most rebounds collected in any WNBA Finals series. Reese also showcased her expanding offensive arsenal by knocking down two three-pointers, improving Atlanta’s record to an incredible 16-0 when she converts from deep. Her vocal leadership and relentless motor set a tone of physical defiance that Golden State struggled to contain.

Despite falling into an early twenty-five point deficit, the resilient Valkyries refused to quietly surrender the contest in the second half. Forward Gabby Williams caught fire after intermission, scoring 22 of her game-high 26 points to spark a furious fourth-quarter comeback. Tiffany Hayes provided veteran punch with 15 points before fouling out during a chaotic loose-ball collision with five minutes remaining. Williams completed an acrobatic three-point play to pull Golden State within 77-69 with under two minutes left, turning up the pressure on the home crowd.

Dagger Three-Pointer Seals The Victory

With their lead suddenly reduced to single digits, Atlanta remained composed and executed the decisive play of the game. Off a crisp feed from Jordin Canada, Gray stepped into a contested corner three-pointer and buried the shot to push the lead back to eleven. Golden State came up empty on their ensuing possessions, forcing Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase to empty her bench in the final minute. The celebratory horn sounded as the Atlanta bench spilled onto the floor, celebrating an unforgettable performance under immense elimination pressure.

Following the loss, Nakase expressed deep frustration with her team’s lack of urgency and focus during the disastrous opening period. Nakase emphasized that failing to match Atlanta’s desperate intensity proved costly against an opponent fighting for survival. Conversely, Smesko commended his team’s mental resilience after being held to just 55 points in their Game 5 road defeat. Bouncing back with 80 points against an elite defensive unit proved that Atlanta’s offensive ceiling can match any team in the world.

Championship Destiny Awaits In Historical Game 7

The stage is now set for a legendary finish to a groundbreaking 2026 campaign as the series shifts back to the West Coast. Golden State will host the historic winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday, October 31, at Chase Center in San Francisco. Playing in front of their raucous home crowd where they went 17-5 in the regular season gives the Valkyries a valuable psychological edge. However, with momentum squarely behind Atlanta and Reese controlling the glass, basketball fans will witness an extraordinary battle for the league crown.

PHOTO SOURCE:
Imagn Images