WNBA Finals Tie Forces First Ever Game 7 at Chase Center

The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream will play a decisive Game 7 on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. This matchup marks the first time in WNBA history that a championship series has extended to a final game. The series is tied at three wins apiece following Thursday night's action at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The Dream secured a decisive 80-69 victory over the Valkyries on Thursday. Allisha Gray hit a corner three-pointer to seal the win, prompting fans to chant for a final game. The result forced the series to return to San Francisco, where Golden State hosted Games 1, 2, and 5. The teams will now make their fifth cross-country trip of the series to play the deciding game at Chase Center.

The WNBA moved to a best-of-seven format for the Finals starting last season. Previously, the championship series was best-of-five. The Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in four games last year. This year's series opened on Oct. 17 and will conclude exactly two weeks later on Saturday. The schedule required extensive travel between San Francisco and Atlanta.

Angel Reese, a forward for the Dream, noted that the team expected to keep fighting. She stated that none of the players thought the series was over after the recent loss. DeWanna Bonner, who has two championships, said the length of the series is physically and mentally taxing. She described the four-and-a-half-hour flights as a factor that players can feel in their bodies.

Kiah Stokes, a center for the Valkyries who won three titles with the Aces, acknowledged that no player on either roster has previously played in a seven-game final. She said the series feels longer than expected. History suggests the home team holds an advantage in Game 7. In eight championship series that reached the final game since 2005, the host team won six of those decisive contests.

The series has been defined by contrasting styles. Golden State victories relied on strong defense, while the Dream won by scoring over 70 points in each of their wins. Veronica Burton, a guard for Golden State, said her team did not quit during the Thursday loss, unlike in previous defeats. Gabby Williams, the leading scorer for Golden State, said the players know each other's tendencies well by this stage.

Both teams have players with prior championship experience. For Golden State, Kiah Stokes, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, and Cecilia Zandalasini have won titles. For Atlanta, DeWanna Bonner, Jordin Canada, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough have previous rings. Bonner said the Dream must maintain the joy and dominance shown in Thursday's win. Williams said the team must want the victory more than the opponent to survive the physical and mental demands of the final game.