Former NBA Champion Dwight Howard Makes His Allegiance Clear During Historic WNBA Finals Game 7 Between Dream & Valkyries

November 1, 2026

The WNBA Finals reached a historic climax as the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries battled through Game 7 for the first time in league history, with the Dream holding a 30-24 halftime lead after a strong second-quarter run. The series, now best-of-seven after last year’s sweep format, has been tightly contested, with Atlanta securing its first Finals appearance since 2013 and forcing a decisive seventh game with a dominant Game 6 performance.

The Dream, chasing their first championship, built a 25-point lead in Game 6 and won 80-69 despite an unusual midday tip-off, while the Valkyries, in just their second season, are also vying for their inaugural title. Adding to the Atlanta atmosphere, former NBA champion Dwight Howard publicly backed his hometown team, posting support on social media.

Howard, born and raised in Atlanta, played for the city’s Hawks in 2016 and has deep ties to the Dream, even revealing in 2024 that he once considered purchasing the franchise before financial setbacks derailed the plan. His daughters were reportedly intended to play for the team if the deal had succeeded, underscoring his personal connection to the franchise’s success.