Valkyries, Dream Clash in WNBA's First-Ever Game 7 on Halloween

Golden State and Atlanta will play winner-take-all for the WNBA championship Saturday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center, the first Game 7 in league history, according to ESPN's Finals preview.

The series reached a seventh game after Atlanta won Game 6 on the road, 80-69, Thursday at State Farm Arena, evening the series 3-3, ESPN's Kendra Andrews reported. The WNBA moved its Finals to a best-of-seven format last season, though the Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in that first edition, according to ESPN.

How did the series reach a decisive Game 7?

Both franchises have split home-court advantage evenly through six games. The No. 2 seed Valkyries and the No. 4 seed Dream have each won twice at home and once on the road, per ESPN. Atlanta, which had been swept in three previous Finals appearances in franchise history, forced the winner-take-all game by riding what ESPN described as a decisive opening-quarter surge in Game 6.

What has separated the teams through six games?

ESPN's recap points to a consistent split: in three games, Golden State's defense controlled the outcome; in the other three, Atlanta's offense topped 70 points. The Dream are 0-3 in the series when they score below 70, according to ESPN's analysis.

Series by the numbers

• Game 6 final score: Dream 80, Valkyries 69 (State Farm Arena, Oct. 29)
• Home-court record: each team 2-1 at home through six games
• Series record entering Game 7: 3-3

What must Golden State fix to win at home?

ESPN's preview frames Golden State's central question as how the Valkyries recover from a Game 6 defeat in which Atlanta's defense, in the words of former league forward and ESPN analyst Nneka Ogwumike, delivered what she called a "smackdown" by the Dream, per ESPN's video breakdown. The Valkyries, playing their second season at Chase Center, have built what ESPN calls a passionate fan base known for turning out at what players and fans refer to as Ballhalla.

What is Atlanta's path to a first title?

After three prior Finals sweeps, the Dream are trying to win their first title by taking the deciding game on the road. Golden State players said after Game 6 that "we didn't quit on this one," according to ESPN's report on the team's response to the loss.

When and where is Game 7?

Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET Saturday — Halloween — at Chase Center in San Francisco, per ESPN.

Series timeline

• Thursday, Oct. 29: Dream win Game 6, 80-69, at State Farm Arena to force Game 7
• Saturday, Oct. 31: Game 7 at Chase Center, 8 p.m. ET

What to watch for in Game 7

• Whether Atlanta can again push past 70 points, the line ESPN says has decided the series
• Whether Golden State's defense, which controlled three prior games, sets the tone early
• Crowd atmosphere at Chase Center, where ESPN notes many Valkyries fans already arrive in costume on a night that doubles as Halloween

Glossary: A best-of-seven Finals format means the first team to win four games claims the title; this is the first time the format has produced a Game 7 since the WNBA adopted it, according to ESPN.

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