The Golden State Valkyries are a win away from raising the WNBA championship trophy, but the door is still very much open for the Atlanta Dream. Will the Valkyries end the series in six games? Or will the Dream keep their, well, dream alive and force a Game 7?
Catch this game live on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 12:30 AM, Manila time
Away: Golden State Valkyries (3-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- Kayla Thornton
- Gabby Williams
- Cecilia Zandalasini
- Kiah Stokes
- Veronica Burton
Celebrating a WNBA title at home is sweet, but the Valkyries would rather finish things off in enemy territory on Thursday.
The Valkyries have come back from a 2-1 series deficit to grab a 3-2 lead after winning the last two games against Atlanta, including their 64-55 triumph on Tuesday at home.
Golden State now has to conquer the Dream’s home-court advantage in Game to avoid a Game 7. The Valkyries already scored a win in Atlanta in the series, as they defeated Angel Reese and company there in Game 4 on Sunday, 67-62. Golden State’s recent success is largely fueled by its defense, having limited the Dream to a brutal 31.1 percent shooting from the field and 20.4 percent shooting from behind the arc in the last two games.
Defense has always been a big reason for the Valkyries’ success this season, and it could prove to be the key again in Friday’s potential series clincher for Golden State.
Home: Atlanta Dream (2-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Allisha Gray
- Jordin Canada
- Naz Hillmon
- Rhyne Howard
- Angel Reese
It is not over until it’s over, and that’s something the Dream can hold onto as they look to turn things around.
One thing going in their favor at least is the fact that Game 6 will be played at home. That should give Atlanta a big lift, but it is still what the players will do on the court that will ultimately decide the outcome of Game 6 — and of the series. Atlanta needs Reese to recapture her form on offense. She put up 21.7 points and shot 56.4 percent from the floor in the first three games of the Finals.
In the last two games, the former LSU Tigers star scored just a total of 15 points on a horrible 4/20 shooting from the field. But big games are where the big stars shine, and the Dream will be counting on Reese to deliver. The same can be said about Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada.
Howard was a bright spot for the Dream in Game 5, scoring 20 points on 7/15 shooting, while Gray and Canada combined for 22 points, albeit on an inefficient 9/28 shooting.
Picks
Spread: Golden State Valkyries (+4.0)
Over/Under: Over (147.0)
