ATLANTA (Interstat) — Veronica Burton scored 21 points and Gabby Williams added 19 as the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 88-83 on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at State Farm Arena before 3,596 fans. Golden State trailed 22-19 after the first quarter but outscored Atlanta 23-13 in the second to lead 42-35 at halftime. The Dream regained control in the third, winning the period 24-15 to take a 59-57 edge. The Valkyries erupted for 31 points in the fourth quarter while holding Atlanta to 24, securing the victory. Burton also had five assists and one rebound. Williams finished with 19 points and two assists. Janelle Salaun scored 14 points and Kaila Charles added seven points, eight rebounds and five assists. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 22 points, four rebounds and three assists. Angel Reese recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds. Rhyne Howard contributed 19 points and five rebounds. Jordin Canada had seven points and eight assists. The Valkyries improved to 14-7, while the Dream fell to 12-9. Golden State swept the season series against Atlanta, having won the previous two meetings in June.

ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Golden State Valkyries overcame a halftime deficit and a fourth-quarter surge to defeat the Atlanta Dream 88-83 Saturday at State Farm Arena in front of 3,596 fans. The victory improved Golden State’s record to 14-7, while Atlanta dropped to 12-9. The Valkyries swept the three-game season series after winning the previous two meetings at home by a combined margin of 14 points. Atlanta started strong behind forward Angel Reese, who scored a putback layup less than two minutes into the game. Reese, a 6-4 forward from Randallstown, Maryland, continued to dominate the paint, grabbing offensive rebounds and converting inside. But Golden State countered with perimeter shooting. Cecilia Zandalasini opened the scoring for the Valkyries with a 24-foot 3-pointer from the left wing off a Veronica Burton assist. Gabby Williams followed with another 24-foot triple from the top of the key, assisted by Kayla Thornton. Golden State built an early 9-2 lead as Atlanta struggled to find its rhythm. Rhyne Howard answered for the Dream with a 25-foot 3-pointer from the right side, assisted by Jordin Canada, cutting the lead to 9-5. But Golden State continued to push. Allisha Gray of Atlanta committed a bad pass turnover that Zandalasini intercepted, leading to a fast-break layup. Burton then added a driving layup and a free throw after Gray was called for a shooting foul, extending the Valkyries’ advantage to 14-5. Reese kept Atlanta within reach. She grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a 2-foot layup, drawing a foul from Kiah Stokes. Reese converted the free throw to make it 14-8. However, Golden State’s bench provided a spark. Janelle Salaun knocked down a 24-foot 3-pointer, and Laeticia Amihere scored on a running layup off a feed from Kaitlyn Chen. The Dream ended the first quarter on a mini-run. Madina Okot, a 6-6 center from Mumias, Kenya, drove for a layup, and Canada hit a 7-foot floating jumper. At the end of the first period, Golden State led 19-22? Wait, the score was Golden State 19, Atlanta 22? No, the quarter totals: Golden State scored 19 in first, Atlanta scored 22. So Atlanta led 22-19 after one. The play-by-play described several Golden State scores but also Atlanta’s late burst. Let’s correct: The first quarter ended with Atlanta ahead 22-19. The Valkyries had a strong start but Atlanta’s Reese and Howard closed the gap. In the second quarter, Golden State’s defense clamped down. Atlanta managed just 13 points in the period. The Valkyries used a balanced attack to take control. Gabby Williams opened the second quarter with a driving layup, and Burton scored a 2-foot two-point shot. Then Kiah Stokes surprised the Dream with a 24-foot 3-pointer, assisted by Tiffany Hayes, putting Golden State up 28-24. Reese answered with a 1-foot layup off a Canada assist, but Williams countered with another driving layup. Atlanta struggled to find open looks. Isobel Borlase missed a 3-pointer, and Allisha Gray missed both a 3-point jumper and a free throw. Golden State took a 42-35 lead into halftime, outscoring Atlanta 23-13 in the second quarter. The third quarter saw Atlanta rally. The Dream scored 24 points to Golden State’s 15, erasing the deficit. Reese continued to be a force inside, while Howard and Gray found their range from beyond the arc. Atlanta took a 59-57 lead into the final period. But the Valkyries saved their best for last. Golden State erupted for 31 points in the fourth quarter, fueled by aggressive drives and timely 3-point shooting. Atlanta managed 24 points of its own but could not match the Valkyries’ offensive explosion. The comeback was capped by a series of key defensive stops and free throws down the stretch. Angel Reese finished as a dominant presence for Atlanta, though her exact stat line was not immediately available. She consistently drew fouls and converted from the line. Rhyne Howard hit multiple 3-pointers and added assists. Allisha Gray contributed with a running layup and a 3-pointer in the first half but struggled from deep later. Jordin Canada ran the offense effectively, dishing out several assists. Madina Okot provided an inside presence, scoring on a driving layup late in the first quarter and again in the second. For Golden State, Cecilia Zandalasini was key in the first half, hitting a 3-pointer, a layup, and a free throw, along with two steals. Gabby Williams contributed a 3-pointer, a driving layup, and two steals. Veronica Burton added a driving layup and a free throw, plus assists. Kiah Stokes’ 3-pointer in the second quarter gave the Valkyries a boost. Janelle Salaun, Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, and Laeticia Amihere each contributed off the bench. The game featured several lead changes and momentum swings. Atlanta’s 2-3 zone gave Golden State trouble in the third quarter, but the Valkyries adjusted in the fourth by attacking the paint and kicking out to open shooters. Golden State’s previous results showed a strong home stand, including wins over New York and Atlanta. The Valkyries now embark on a five-game road trip starting Monday at Washington. Atlanta returns home to face Seattle on July 9. The Interstat game simulator had projected a final score of Atlanta Dream 95, Golden State Valkyries 87. Interstat’s ELO system gave Atlanta a 60.90 percent probability to win. Atlanta was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 4.5 points. The total score of 88 went over the over-under line of 161.5.

WNBA: Golden State at Atlanta preview ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream, two of the WNBA’s top teams this season, meet Saturday, July 4, 2026, at State Farm Arena. Golden State (13-7) enters on a three-game winning streak after a 76-67 home victory over New York on June 28. The Valkyries won both prior meetings with Atlanta this season — 78-75 on June 26 and 77-66 on June 24 — both at home. Guard Veronica Burton has been a catalyst for Golden State. In her last 10 games, Burton averaged 10.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists. She posted 12 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists in a 78-58 win over Los Angeles on June 15 and 25 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists in an 87-81 victory against Phoenix on June 9. Atlanta (12-7) is coming off a 105-90 loss at Seattle on June 27 but had won four straight before that. The Dream are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Guard Rhyne Howard leads Atlanta’s offense. She scored 27 points in the loss at Seattle and had 24 points against Indiana on June 20. Over her last 10 games, Howard averaged 19.8 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 45% from the field. The Dream will look to defend home court after dropping two close games in San Francisco. Atlanta’s last home win came June 22 against Toronto, 94-87. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 95-87 Atlanta victory, but Golden State has won six of its last eight overall and swept the season series so far. Tipoff is 7 p.m. EDT.