The Golden State Valkyries edged the Atlanta Dream 78-75 in a tightly contested Women's National Basketball Association showdown on June 27, 2026, at Chase Center. The home side used a decisive fourth-quarter run to overcome a gritty Dream squad, extending their winning streak to three games and tightening their grip on a playoff position in the competitive Western Conference.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded baskets in a game defined by defensive intensity and cold stretches from beyond the arc. Atlanta jumped out to a 24-20 lead after the first quarter, powered by sharp mid-range shooting and aggressive offensive rebounding. Golden State struggled to find rhythm early, committing four turnovers in the opening period. The Valkyries responded in the second quarter, clamping down on defense and holding the Dream to just 15 points, taking a 42-39 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw Atlanta regain momentum. The Dream's bench unit outscored Golden State's reserves 11-4 in the frame, and a late three-pointer from guard Rhyne Howard gave Atlanta a 60-58 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes. However, the fourth quarter belonged to the Valkyries, who used a 12-2 run midway through the period to seize control. A clutch steal and fast-break layup by guard Chelsea Gray with 2:14 remaining extended the lead to 76-71, and the Dream never recovered.

Key Moments

• First-quarter surge: Atlanta's Aerial Powers scored 8 points in the opening frame, including two tough finishes in traffic.
• Defensive lockdown: Golden State forced five Atlanta turnovers in the second quarter, turning them into 9 points on the other end.
• Third-quarter response: The Dream's Allisha Gray hit a step-back jumper with 0.3 seconds left in the third to put Atlanta up by two.
• Fourth-quarter decisive run: A 10-0 burst capped by a three-pointer from Valkyries forward Yvonne Ejim gave Golden State a 74-66 lead with 3:40 to play.
• Final stop: With 12 seconds left and trailing by three, Atlanta's inbounds play was broken up, and the Valkyries secured the rebound to seal the win.

Standout Players

Golden State Valkyries: Center Iva Slonjšak led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting, adding 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. She was a dominant presence in the paint, particularly during the fourth quarter. Guard Chelsea Gray contributed 14 points and 8 assists, orchestrating the offense with poise. Forward Yvonne Ejim chipped in 12 points and 7 boards, hitting two crucial three-pointers in the second half.

Atlanta Dream: Rhyne Howard finished with 19 points and 6 assists, but struggled from the field (7-of-18). Aerial Powers added 17 points and 8 rebounds, while center Monique Billings recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Dream's bench, led by guard Jordin Canada's 9 points, provided a spark but couldn't sustain the momentum in the closing minutes.

Season and Table Impact

The victory improves Golden State's record to 16-10, placing them third in the WNBA standings behind the Las Vegas Aces and the defending champion New York Liberty. The Valkyries have now won five of their last six home games and are building momentum as the All-Star break approaches. For Atlanta, the loss drops them to 12-14, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Dream currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference, two games behind the fourth-place Indiana Fever. With 14 games remaining in the regular season, every contest is critical for the Dream to secure a postseason berth.

Golden State's defense has been a key factor in their recent surge. They held Atlanta to just 41% shooting from the field and out-rebounded the Dream 42-37. Head coach Natalie Nakase praised her team's resilience: "We didn't panic when we fell behind in the third quarter. The players showed great composure, executed our sets, and got stops when it mattered most." Atlanta head coach Tanisha Wright lamented the missed opportunities: "We had our chances. Turnovers and second-chance points hurt us. We need to be sharper down the stretch."