The Atlanta Dream Just Made History — But Not in an Ideal Way

Within the belly of the beast, it was hard to concentrate, let alone think of a single thing that held any meaning whatsoever outside of the bombastic roars sailing above a sea of violet, white and black. It just wasn’t doable.

Those were the sounds that bounced off the walls of the Chase Center, lovingly dubbed “Ballhalla” by Golden State Valkyries fans. It was one of the complications that needled at the visiting Atlanta Dream during Game 1 of the WNBA Finals; a game where Angel Reese and crew fell 68-64 in a nail-biter match-up that a severe plethora of lead changes.

Valks forward Gabby Williams led the way with 26 points while Allisha Gray tried to keep Atlanta’s hopes alive with 19 points.

Golden State made history on Saturday with the first ever franchise finals game win in just two years, while Atlanta, unfortunately, made a different kind of history.

According to ESPN Insights, the Dream have never won a game in the Finals and are on their 10^thconsecutive Finals loss, which is the most consecutive Finals losses in the history of the WNBA.

Founded in 2008, the Dream have been to the Finals four times – 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2026 – and have been swept every single appearance. First by the Seattle Storm then by the Minnesota Lynx twice.

So they’ve been swept every single time they’ve appeared in the Finals. While you never know, especially with a captivating and dominant team like the Dream now (and considering how close they held the game to Golden State), people are hoping for closer matchups in the best out of seven games and not a sweep. At least not in these Finals.