Atlanta Dream Need One Win to Force Game 7

Atlanta is one loss away from ending its season.

The Dream trail the Golden State Valkyries 3-2 in the WNBA Finals and must win Game 6 on Thursday at State Farm Arena to stay alive. The team entered the series on a 10-game winning streak but has lost its last two games by a combined 117 points.

Head coach DeWanna Bonner said the team lost its joy in recent games. "I feel like the last couple games, we just haven't been ourselves, and we know that," Bonner said. "You haven't seen us smile. You haven't seen us enjoying [each other], and that's how we play." She noted that losing that feeling causes players to compete against themselves as much as the opponent.

The Dream controlled the early part of the series. After losing Game 1 despite leading for nearly 30 minutes, Atlanta won Games 2 and 3 by a combined 40 points. Games 4 and 5 became grueling, allowing the Valkyries to take control. Golden State won Game 5 on Monday and needs only one more victory to claim the title.

Offensive struggles define the current deficit. The Dream scored 62 points in Game 4 and 55 points in Game 5. They committed 35 turnovers over that two-game stretch. Guard Rhyne Howard said the Valkyries responded well after being dominated in Game 3. "We had them against the wall [after Game 3] and they showed up and they punched," Howard said. "So I think it's just our turn to come out and do the same thing."

The team held film sessions and meetings Wednesday. Angel Reese described them as "uncomfortable conversations" about what each player could improve. Reese said "everybody's in a great mind space right now." She added that the team has "no doubt" it can win two straight games to claim the first championship in franchise history.

Reese was held to single digits in the last two losses. She said she wanted to play immediately after Game 5. "You're going to have to peel me off the court. I want to be so damn tired. I want to just be able to give everything," Reese said. The Dream will attempt to force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Halloween in San Francisco.

Bonner said the team's confidence remains high. "There's no reason to lose confidence. We're down one game in this. We get [Game 6] and it's a series all over again," she said.