The Golden State Valkyries couldn’t close out the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena, falling to the Atlanta Dream 80-69 in Game 6 on Thursday. The Valkyries fell behind by as many as 25 points in the first quarter, but never gave up, pulling to within eight points in the fourth quarter. Gabby Williams scored 21 of her game-high 26 points in the second half. Atlanta got significant production from its star trio — Allisha Gray scored 23 points and sank four 3-pointers, Rhyne Howard scored 21 points and hit four 3-pointers, and Angel Reese recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. With the series now tied 3-3, the Valkyries will return to Chase Center to host a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday at 5 p.m. 

DREAM DOMINANT EARLY WITH SEASON ON THE LINE
With their season on the line, the Atlanta Dream went on a 13-0 first-quarter run as the Valkyries missed seven straight shots. The Dream made six 3-pointers in the opening quarter, as many threes as they made in all of Game 5. Atlanta scored 32 points in the quarter, more than any team has scored in any quarter in this series. They led by as many as 25 points and held a 20-point lead at the half. Tiffany Hayes was the bright spot for the Valkyries in the half with 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting. Golden State came within one point of their lowest-scoring half of the year, getting outscored 46-26. 

HAYES REACHES DOUBLE FIGURES FOR FIFTH TIME IN THESE FINALS
Tiffany Hayes scored in double figures for the fifth time in six Finals games, with 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Hayes has been a steady contributor for the Valkyries all season and helped turn the tide of this series when she moved into the starting lineup in Game 4. Hayes played her first 10 seasons with the Atlanta Dream, including a finals run with the franchise in 2013. On Saturday, she has an opportunity to win her first championship against her former team. 

WILLIAMS’ 21-POINT SECOND HALF 
Gabby Williams entered Game 6 as the leading scorer in the 2026 WNBA Finals, averaging 16.2 points per contest (81 total points). Williams extend 26 points in Game 6, 21 of which came in the second half. 

UP NEXT
It all comes down to this. The 2026 WNBA champions will be crowned at Chase Center on Saturday, as the Valkyries host the Atlanta Dream for Game 7 (Tip-off: 5 p.m. Watch: USA/Peacock/CNBC). Ballhalla is the place to be for a historic Halloween night, as this will be the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history and regardless of who wins, it will be their first championship in franchise history.