ATLANTA — There should be no problem with the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries approaching the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history with a sense of urgency.
Then again, that’s what Golden State coach Natalie Nakase thought about Game 6. She was baffled her team somehow left behind its defensive intensity at the start of Thursday’s 80-69 loss to the Dream at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena that forced Game 7 on Saturday night at “Ballhalla” — the nickname for San Francisco’s Chase Center when the Valkyries play there, supported by their raucous fans.
While the Valkyries were missing their defensive edge that was so important in their 64-55 home win in Game 5 on Monday, the Dream seized the opportunity by making 73.3% of their shots in the first quarter and racing to a 32-15 lead. The 32 points are the most by either team in a quarter in the series.
The Dream, whose starting lineup includes Bradley Central High School graduate Rhyne Howard from Cleveland, Tennessee, kept the lead in double figures most of the remainder of the game.
“Can’t let that happen right out of the gate,” Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said. “There needs to be a sense of urgency. It’s the WNBA Finals.”