WNBA Finals live updates, Valkyries-Dream box score: Angel Reese, Dream Force Game 7 vs. Valkyries with championship on the line

And Atlanta takes an 11-10 lead, erasing all the defensive goodwill the Valkyries had put into keeping the Dream scoreless.

The Dream finally got on the board six minutes into the game, with Angel Reese hitting a layup. Allisha Gray then hit a layup and back-to-back three-pointer to bring Atlanta within one point of Golden State.

Five blocks already for the Valkyries, as the first quarter draws to a close – but a quiet sequence in attack threatens to let the Dream overtake them.

Well, the Dreams ended up here in a pickle suit. They haven’t scored yet after 5:43. Rhyne Howard is, once again, two faults away. They turned it over twice and quickly counted two (basically three) shot clock violations. Kiah Stokes and Gabby Williams each threw down emphatic blocks. Stokes’ hit on Jordin Canada after the guard cut back to the baseline for an Angel Reese pass must be particularly frustrating for Atlanta fans.

Atlanta, still scoreless after more than four minutes of play, calls a timeout to try to regain momentum.

The Valkyries are only eight points ahead, but they are in full control early in the match.

In case you forgot this was a defensive battle, the Valkyries and Dream traded three turnovers and two blocks in the opening minute of the game.

The biggest question that will determine this game is who will strike first. And VERY early on it belongs to the Valkyries.

Game 7 on Halloween. Let’s do this!

It seems stronger here than in previous games. Kristi Yamaguchi hit the drum. And we’re moments away from the end of the final game of the WNBA season. It’s been a long time.

During a Zoom call with Karl Smesko, Naz Hillmon and Rhyne Howard this morning, Howard told reporters she disagrees on what it means to play in the league’s first-ever Game 7.

“I don’t know if it’s like we’re excited that we got to Game 7, or if we feel like, ‘Could we have done it quicker?’ Obviously it’s a historic moment, but as the league grows, I’m excited to be one of the first to do it (and) hopefully one of the first to win in a Game 7. But I have no feelings about it. It’s just another game for me, I hope we continue to show what we’re made of.”

In a pregame press conference, Dream coach Karl Smesko said he was trying to help his team “stay in the moment” ahead of an all-or-nothing Game 7.

“In the end, we will either be celebrating or we will be devastated,” Smesko said. “The only way to do this is to be in the moment.”

I went through weeks of quotes this morning, and here’s what Naz Hillmon said to me over two weeks ago, on the eve of the first game:

“It gets to a point where the other team calls their plays, and I echo because I know the plays. … At this point in the season, you should know the other opponents’ plays.

“If it plays out over a seven-game series, it’s just going to depend on the tendencies of the players. It’s so important to make those stops on the defensive end.”

Expect Golden State to go straight into Game 7: Before the game, Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said the game would be about who “hits first.”

“It’s non-negotiable. We come out with physicality, focused mindset, dictation. We dictate the first pass, we dictate everything tonight. Like we’re going to be super, super aggressive,” Nakase said, via ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.

Point spread: Dream -1.5

Moneyline Odds: Dream -108, Valkyries -108

Total points: Over/under 143.5

ATLANTA — What Angel Reese learned in her first WNBA Finals appearance is that long streaks always go by quickly. What is done is done, and what is to come is up for grabs.

Down 3-2 in the series, and potentially with 40 minutes to go, she and her Atlanta Dream teammates gathered before the film sessions to discuss what it meant. They needed to regain confidence after two defeats marred by offensive misfortunes. They emphasized that everyone could become a superstar, but everyone was needed.

At the end of the day’s film and one last practice before a must-win Game 6, they said they felt good about returning to Atlanta Dream basketball. They immediately proved the truth of this speech.

“You can definitely say we have our composure back,” Reese said.

The Dream’s offense came out of its funk and overwhelmed the Golden State Valkyries’ suffocating defense in Game 6 Thursday, a jolt for the West Coasters settling in with their breakfast for a 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT tipoff. The 80-69 victory was more dominant than the final score indicated; the Dream led by 25 points with three minutes remaining in the half.

Can they maintain their shooting pace in Game 7? Learn more.