The WNBA Finals are going to a game seven for the first time in league history. Granted, this is only the second season with a best-of-seven format. The Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream have been fighting for the championship in the WNBA Finals. In the 2-2-1-1-1 format, after game six, both teams have three wins each.
Both teams have managed to go back and forth with their wins, neither team reaching a lead greater than one before the other team brings the series back to a tie. They’ve learned to adapt and modify their strategy as they continue through the finals.
Starting strong
Golden State took victory in the first game, which over 70% of past champion teams have also done. They won 68-64, taking the win despite Atlanta leading 79% of the game. Atlanta clapped back greatly, to tie the series at 79-65 after game two. They were led by Angel Reese, who dropped 30 points and 16 rebounds.
After the first two games at Ballhalla, the nickname for the Valkyries arena, games three and four were played in Atlanta. The Valkyries continued to struggle, not having led at any point in the game, and lost 97-71.
Coach Natalie Nakase of the Valkyries decided to modify her starting lineup from the previous three games, inserting Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles. The team emphasized stopping Reese, with her having just eight points for the night. Game four ended at 67-62, allowing the Valkyries to tie the series at two wins each.
The Valkyries can win it all
Being back in the Bay, Golden State continued their momentum to a 64-55 victory, their largest win of the series thus far. They led 91% of the time, arguably their best performance of the finals. Golden State flipped a switch defensively, and it showed; the first half ended at 25-22, which is the lowest-scoring first half in WNBA Playoffs history.
Three-time WNBA Champion Kiah Stokes led her team to victory with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. She’s known as the Warden of Valkatraz, with six straight games of three or more blocks. The entire team forced 17 turnovers from the Dream, with 21 points conceded off them.
The dream tie it up
Atlanta practically claimed victory immediately, leading by 19-5 in the first six minutes. Being back on their home court gave them the extra motivation to push the series into a game seven. They led 98% of the time, with their largest lead of 25 points. Despite Golden State’s attempt to come back, the final score was 80-69.
The Dream had a 43% field goal percentage, including 13 three-pointers, which helped them take a big lead, especially in the beginning of the game. Alisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Reese led the Dream in points scored with 23, 21, and 15, respectively. They stepped up their offense, and it kept them alive in this series.
one last chance
As the higher-seeded team, the Valkyries have the advantage of home court for game seven as the teams travel back to Ballhalla. Currently in the series, the Valkyries are 2-1 in games played in the Bay. With the way that the finals have been going on thus far, it’s clear that neither team is the obvious choice to be crowned champions.
Both teams are looking for their first-ever championship, the Valkyries in their second-ever season, and the Dream in their first finals appearance since 2013. Game seven will likely be a close victory for both teams, and each team will pour everything they have into the court.
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