Dream Face Elimination Threat After Scoring 55 in Final Loss

The Atlanta Dream scored 55 points in their loss to the Golden State Valkyries on Monday, a performance that left the team one win from elimination in the WNBA Finals. Down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, Atlanta enters a must-win Game 6 on Thursday at State Farm Arena. A victory is required to keep the franchise's first championship bid alive.

Head Coach DeWanna Bonner identified a lack of enjoyment as the primary factor in the team's recent struggles. Speaking on Wednesday, Bonner noted that players have not smiled or enjoyed each other as they typically do. She argued that losing that joy causes athletes to compete against their own internal doubts rather than focusing solely on the opponent.

The Dream’s offensive output has dropped sharply in the final two contests. After winning Games 2 and 3 by a combined margin of 40 points, the team managed only 62 points in Game 4 and 55 in Game 5. During that two-game stretch, Atlanta also committed 35 turnovers. These statistics contrast with the team's arrival in the Finals, where they carried a 10-game winning streak into the postseason.

Guard Rhyne Howard observed that the Valkyries executed well after Game 3, responding to what Howard described as being put against the wall. Howard stated that it is now Atlanta’s turn to match that intensity. The Dream held a film session and meetings on Wednesday that included what forward Angel Reese called uncomfortable conversations about individual and collective improvements. Reese reported that the squad is currently in a strong mental state.

Reese, who was held to single-digit scoring in both recent losses, expressed eagerness to return to the court. She told reporters she wanted to play immediately after the Monday loss and described her intention to give everything in Game 6. Bonner maintained that the team’s confidence remains high, asserting that winning Thursday will reset the series dynamics.

The Dream have previously won back-to-back games in this series, taking Game 2 in San Francisco and Game 3 in Atlanta. A win on Thursday would force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Halloween in San Francisco. This would be the first time the Dream have faced elimination in the current postseason.