Valkyries edge Dream to lead Game 7 at halftime

The Golden State Valkyries led the Atlanta Dream 45-44 heading into the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Saturday night in San Francisco. The Dream had led by nine points before the Valkyries answered with a 17-7 run in the third quarter.

Gabby Williams scored 15 of her 17 points in the third quarter for Golden State, including three shots from beyond the arc. She also starts for the Valkyries alongside Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton. Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon start for Atlanta.

Atlanta opened the game 0-for-8 and did not score until an Angel Reese layup with 4:40 left in the first quarter. The Dream closed the quarter on a seven-point run, but Veronica Burton hit a jumper to end the period with Golden State ahead 14-12. Reese and Allisha Gray grabbed several rebounds during that stretch.

The Dream responded with a 9-0 run to start the second quarter, beginning with a three-pointer from Reese. Atlanta is undefeated in the playoffs when Reese makes a three. Golden State went 3-for-6 from the field to start the game, then 3-for-17, and did not score in the second quarter until a pair of Burton free throws with 4:55 left. Atlanta led 30-24 at halftime.

Shooting from deep has been limited for both sides. The Dream are 3-of-16 from three-point range and the Valkyries are 1-for-11. Jordin Canada leads all scorers with 13 points and Angel Reese has seven rebounds. The game is a rematch setup: Atlanta forced Game 7 by winning Game 6. The Dream's Game 7 roster also includes Kiah Stokes, Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton listed among the Valkyries starters, with Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes also starting for Golden State.

The winner takes the WNBA Finals. The game is being played Saturday night in San Francisco.