Allisha Gray scores 19 points, Angel Reese records double-double as Dream fall 68-64 in first Finals appearance since 2013.
By Milton Kirby | San Francisco, CA | October 18, 2026
The Atlanta Dream were minutes away from opening their return to the WNBA Finals with a victory Saturday night. Instead, a late scoring drought and Golden State’s relentless defense turned a five-point fourth-quarter lead into a 68-64 loss at Chase Center.
Atlanta, making its first Finals appearance since 2013, struggled to find the basket when it mattered most. The Dream made just one field goal over the final 7 minutes and 16 seconds and missed three three-point attempts in the final minute.
The loss snapped Atlanta’s five-game postseason winning streak and extended the franchise’s winless record in WNBA Finals games to 0-10.
Allisha Gray, returning from a hand injury that sidelined her for part of the semifinals, led Atlanta with 19 points and six rebounds. Angel Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Rhyne Howard finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
“We had a couple of good looks, they just didn’t go down for us,” Dream head coach Karl Smesko said.
A Strong Start for Atlanta
The Dream opened the game with the confidence of a team that had won five consecutive playoff games.
Reese set the tone in the first quarter, scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Her work around the basket helped Atlanta build a 22-14 advantage after the opening 10 minutes.
The Dream appeared comfortable attacking Golden State’s defense, finding opportunities inside and controlling the early pace.
But the momentum changed in the second quarter.
Golden State scored 28 points in the period, making 11 of 16 field-goal attempts. Much of the damage came inside the lane, where the Valkyries repeatedly found scoring opportunities.
Atlanta, meanwhile, made just four of 13 shots during the quarter.
By halftime, Golden State had erased the eight-point deficit and taken a 42-39 lead.
“We need to maintain how we want to play for all four quarters,” Smesko said.
Dream Regain Control After Halftime
Atlanta responded with one of its strongest defensive stretches of the postseason.
The Dream held Golden State to just nine points in the third quarter, limiting the Valkyries to 4-of-25 shooting from the field.
Atlanta made six of its 12 shots during the period and reclaimed the lead, entering the fourth quarter ahead 56-51.
The performance continued a pattern established during the playoffs, when the Dream repeatedly used strong third quarters to take control of games.
Atlanta’s defensive pressure disrupted Golden State’s offense and forced difficult shots.
The Dream appeared positioned to secure the franchise’s first Finals victory.
But Golden State had one more comeback.
Final Minutes Decide the Game
The Valkyries gradually reduced Atlanta’s lead during the fourth quarter.
Kiah Stokes scored on a tip-in with 4:45 remaining, cutting the Dream’s advantage to 60-59.
Atlanta maintained a narrow lead until the final two minutes, when missed opportunities began to accumulate.
After Gray missed a difficult layup, Reese was called for a foul that sent Golden State’s Gabby Williams to the free-throw line.
Williams made both attempts, giving the Valkyries a 65-64 lead with 1:18 remaining.
Howard missed a three-point attempt on Atlanta’s next possession. Golden State collected the rebound, but the Dream forced a turnover that Reese recovered.
Jordin Canada drove into the lane before passing to Naz Hillmon, whose three-point attempt missed.
Reese was then called for a foul while battling for the offensive rebound.
Stokes made one of two free throws, extending Golden State’s lead to 66-64 with 23.8 seconds remaining.
Atlanta still had an opportunity to tie or take the lead.
Howard was unable to get past her defender and passed to Gray, whose long three-point attempt missed.
The Dream fouled Williams, who converted both free throws with 4.1 seconds left to secure Golden State’s four-point victory.
“When we have an opportunity to finish a game, we’ve just got to do it,” Smesko said.
Defense Dominates Both Teams
Although Golden State entered the series with the league’s top-ranked defense, Atlanta’s defensive performance was equally impressive for much of the game.
The Dream held the Valkyries to 32.1 percent shooting from the field.
Williams was the only Golden State player to score more than eight points, finishing with a game-high 26.
Atlanta, however, shot just 32.8 percent overall.
The Dream were effective at the free-throw line, converting 85.7 percent of their attempts, but struggled to generate consistent scoring opportunities during the closing minutes.
Reese recorded her second double-double of the postseason, adding two steals and one blocked shot to her 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Howard contributed two blocked shots and a steal, while Canada finished with eight points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.
Canada also moved into second place on Atlanta’s all-time postseason assists list.
Howard climbed to fifth on the franchise’s postseason scoring list after scoring her fifth point of the game.
A Familiar Finals Disappointment
The defeat carried additional historical significance for Atlanta.
The Dream previously reached the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013 but were swept in each appearance.
Atlanta lost to the Seattle Storm in 2010 and the Minnesota Lynx in both 2011 and 2013.
Saturday’s defeat extended that streak to 10 consecutive Finals losses.
Yet this Atlanta team has already demonstrated its ability to recover from difficult performances.
The Dream entered the championship series after sweeping the New York Liberty in the semifinals, earning their first trip to the Finals in 13 years.
The opening loss also provided a clear picture of what Atlanta must improve to compete for the championship.
The Dream will need more consistent scoring, particularly late in games, while maintaining the defensive intensity that helped them build leads in the first and third quarters.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Monday, October 19, at Chase Center.
Atlanta will have another opportunity to earn the franchise’s first Finals victory before the series moves to Atlanta.
For Smesko and the Dream, the message after Game 1 was straightforward: creating opportunities is important, but finishing games is what wins championships.
Truth Seekers Journal thrives because of readers like you. Join us in sustaining independent voices.