Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries WNBA Finals Game 7 Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 31, 2026
The WNBA championship will be decided Saturday in San Francisco after Atlanta kept its season alive with an 80-69 win over Golden State on Thursday. The Finals are tied 3-3, with each club having won once on the other's court. The winner takes the title at Chase Center, where tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET on USA Network, CNBC and Peacock. Golden State is -112 on the moneyline and Atlanta -108. Browse our free WNBA picks for more basketball predictions.
Atlanta Dream Have Another Shot at the Championship
Allisha Gray helped Atlanta avoid elimination Thursday, scoring 23 points as the Dream took control almost immediately. Atlanta had struggled to score in Game 5, managing only 55 points, but Thursday's opening quarter was a completely different story. The Dream hit 13 three-pointers in the game and built a 32-15 lead after 10 minutes. Golden State eventually reduced a 25-point deficit to eight, but Atlanta had done enough to survive. The 80-69 result sends the Dream back to San Francisco, where they won Game 2 earlier in the series.
Angel Reese has been a major part of Atlanta's postseason run, producing 17 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. She also collected 14 rebounds Thursday, helping the Dream compete inside. Rhyne Howard is another player Golden State must account for, averaging 16.8 points, while Jordin Canada is providing 7.8 assists. Atlanta knows how difficult scoring can become against this opponent. The Dream were held to 62 in Game 4 and 55 in Game 5, so keeping the ball moving and finding good shots will be important in Saturday's deciding contest.
Injuries: Te-Hina Paopao, Matilde Villa and Brionna Jones are out.
Golden State Valkyries Want a Different Beginning
Golden State spent most of Thursday trying to recover from a disastrous opening quarter. The Valkyries were already behind by 17 after 10 minutes and eventually trailed by 25. Gabby Williams scored 26 points, with Tiffany Hayes adding 15, as Golden State fought back. The deficit fell to eight during the fourth quarter, but the early damage proved too much. The Valkyries had been far more comfortable in their previous two games, winning 67-62 in Atlanta and 64-55 at home to take a 3-2 series lead.
Williams has been Golden State's leading postseason scorer at 19.7 points per game. Her ability to attack Atlanta's defense will be important, particularly if the Dream again protect the paint. Kiah Stokes has collected 10 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per contest, helping Golden State control the area around the basket. Veronica Burton provides another important contribution with 3.7 assists. The Valkyries have relied heavily on their defense during this series, and their best results have come when Atlanta struggles to find open shots.
Injuries: Iliana Rupert is out.
Key To The Game
Thursday showed how quickly Atlanta can take control when its shots fall early. Golden State needs to avoid another poor opening and make the Dream work harder for scoring opportunities. The contest between Reese and Stokes should be physical, with rebounding particularly important. Williams will carry much of Golden State's scoring responsibility, while Atlanta needs Gray and Howard to contribute alongside Reese. The Valkyries have already held the Dream below 65 points three times in this series.
Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries Game Pick
- Golden State Valkyries (-112)
Golden State has already won three games against Atlanta, including two tight defensive contests. Thursday's loss was disappointing, but the Valkyries did show improvement after falling well behind. Williams remains a dangerous scorer, and Stokes can make life uncomfortable for Reese near the basket. Atlanta has proven it can win in San Francisco, so home court alone won't settle this. I expect Golden State to defend more effectively from the opening quarter and make Atlanta work for its points. I'm taking the Valkyries to win the championship.
Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries Over/Under Pick
- Under 142.5 (-110)
Four of the six Finals games have finished below 142.5 points. Golden State has held Atlanta to 62, 55 and 65 points in three of those contests, and the Dream's defense has also caused problems. Thursday's 149 combined points came after Atlanta scored 32 in the opening quarter, something Golden State will be determined to prevent. Both clubs have strong rebounders and defenders capable of making scoring difficult near the basket. I expect a closer contest with fewer easy opportunities. Under 142.5 is my pick.