The Atlanta Dream are preparing for their first WNBA Finals appearance in more than a decade, but the health of one of their biggest stars remains a concern heading into the championship series.
Four-time All-Star Allisha Gray is still considered day-to-day after undergoing a minor procedure on her left hand, leaving her availability uncertain for Game 1 against the Golden State Valkyries.
Gray confirmed the development Tuesday, providing an encouraging update on her recovery while stopping short of committing to a return date.
"Progress is great," Gray said. "Right now I'm day-to-day."
The veteran guard did not disclose the exact nature of the procedure or whether it involved surgery.
However, Gray participated in shooting drills at Atlanta's Gateway Center on Tuesday with her left ring finger and pinky taped together, offering a positive sign as the Dream prepare for Saturday's series opener.
Gray suffered the injury during Game 1 of Atlanta's semifinal series against the New York Liberty on Oct. 4. The injury occurred in the first quarter when she attempted to deflect a pass from Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Although Gray initially remained in the game, she eventually exited after playing just 11 minutes and did not return. She subsequently missed Games 2 and 3, leaving Atlanta without one of its most important offensive contributors during the biggest stretch of its season.
Despite her absence, the Dream completed a three-game sweep of New York to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2013.
The accomplishment was particularly impressive considering Gray's importance to Atlanta throughout the regular season. She led the Dream in scoring with 19 points per game, ranking ninth in the WNBA while establishing herself as one of the league's most reliable offensive threats.
Her ability to score from the perimeter, create opportunities off the dribble and contribute defensively has made her a central part of Atlanta's success.
Dream head coach Karl Smesko acknowledged just how important Gray is to the team's championship hopes.
"Allisha's one of the best players in the W," Smesko said Tuesday.
The coach also praised the rest of his roster for finding ways to win without her.
"To advance and beat a great New York team basically without her, except for 10 minutes of one game, is a testament to everybody else raising their game," Smesko said.
With Gray sidelined, Jordin Canada, DeWanna Bonner and Isobel Borlase stepped up to help Atlanta advance past New York and reach the WNBA Finals.
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Their contributions highlighted the Dream's depth and ability to overcome adversity, but the challenge ahead could make Gray's return even more valuable.
Golden State has established itself as one of the WNBA's toughest defensive teams, meaning Atlanta could benefit from having another proven scorer on the floor. Gray's ability to create her own shot and generate offense could give the Dream another weapon as they prepare to compete for the first championship in franchise history.
Golden State advanced to the Finals after sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
Against a strong Golden State defense, having Gray back on the floor could give Atlanta another reliable offensive option, particularly when scoring opportunities become difficult to find. But even without Grey, the Dream have proven they can not only win without their leading scorer but also be extremely dominant.
Atlanta's postseason success has showcased the team's depth, with several players stepping into larger roles and delivering when it mattered most.
But with a championship now within reach, the possibility of getting Gray back could provide another boost.
The timing of her return, however, remains uncertain.
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Atlanta will open the best-of-seven championship series Saturday, Oct. 17, at Golden State's Chase Center in San Francisco. The Dream will then return to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4, which have been moved to State Farm Arena to accommodate larger crowds.
For Gray, the next several days will be important as she continues working toward a return.
Her participation in shooting drills is an encouraging development, but it does not guarantee that she will be ready for Saturday's opener.
And while the Dream have already proven they can win without her, having their leading scorer back on the court could make a significant difference as Atlanta pursues its first WNBA championship.