Dream Trail by 62 and 55 Points in Final Two Games Before Must-Win Game 6
Atlanta seeks to reclaim offensive rhythm against Golden State after scoring just 117 points combined in the last two contests.
By Eric Coleman ·
The Atlanta Dream trail 3-2 in the WNBA Finals and face elimination in Game 6 against the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday. The series has shifted from Atlanta's early dominance to a defensive grind that has favored the Valkyries.
Head coach DeWanna Bonner said the team has lost its natural joy and swagger in recent games. "I feel like the last couple games, we just haven't been ourselves, and we know that," Bonner said on Wednesday. "You haven't seen us smile. You haven't seen us enjoying [each other], and that's how we play."
Atlanta entered the series on a 10-game winning streak and held much of the momentum early. After losing Game 1 despite leading for nearly 30 minutes, the Dream won Games 2 and 3 by a combined 40 points. The Valkyries won Game 4 and Game 5, putting them one victory away from the title.
Offensive efficiency has dropped sharply in the final two games. Atlanta scored 62 points in Game 4 and 55 points in Game 5, totaling 117 points. The team also committed 35 turnovers across those two losses. Bonner identified these offensive struggles as key areas for immediate correction.
The Dream held extensive film sessions and team meetings on Wednesday to address individual and collective errors. Star player Angel Reese described these discussions as "uncomfortable conversations" aimed at improving performance. "Everybody's in a great mind space right now," Reese said.
Guard Rhyne Howard emphasized that the team is not treating the situation as a crisis. "We don't want to just be like the world is ending because our backs are against the wall," Howard said. "We had them against the wall [after Game 3] and they showed up and they punched. So I think it's just our turn to come out and do the same thing."
Reese, who scored in single digits in the last two games, expressed eagerness to return to the court. "After the game, I wanted to play a game right away," she said. "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."
Source: ESPN
