The Atlanta Dream are four wins away from capturing a WNBA championship, a title the organisation has not previously held. The offseason addition of Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky has been identified by many observers as a turning point in what proved to be a notably different year for the roster.

With most of last season's roster kept intact — the same group that reached the playoffs before exiting in the opening round — advancing deeper into postseason competition has stood as a clear point of focus heading into this year. Throughout the current campaign, Atlanta Dream players at various roster spots have taken turns making measurable contributions on both offense and defense, according to available game data.

A ten-game run of consecutive victories carried into postseason play, setting up a WNBA Finals matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. Atlanta faced a regular-season sweep at the hands of Minnesota, though each contest remained within striking distance throughout. The Dream have shown an uptick in performance over that stretch, a development that points toward a closely contested matchup between the two sides.

A hand injury sustained in Game 1 kept Allisha Gray on the sideline for the bulk of the semifinal series against the New York Liberty. She was spotted at a team training session in the days prior and informed reporters that a small procedure had been carried out on her hand. Her availability for the finals remains uncertain, with team personnel monitoring her condition on a daily basis.

Prior to her injury, Gray had ranked as Atlanta's top postseason scorer, a standing built on her output during the series against Washington. Across the current campaign, Gray has ranked among the more consistent point-producers on the roster, and a return to action against the Valkyries would place her in a position to continue that pattern.

The Valkyries hold the top position in defensive performance among playoff teams, with the Dream slotting in directly behind them at second. Both clubs enter the postseason finale having ranked among the stronger defensive units in the league throughout the year, holding off every other contender. Atlanta's defensive performance has noticeably improved over the course of the playoffs, and Golden State's expansion franchise is set to face that same level of intensity when the two sides meet.

Offensively, the Dream have posted a playoff scoring rate of 92.6 points per game, a figure that also places them among the stronger defensive units still competing. Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner have each stepped up their contributions during Gray's absence. Should Gray return and the roster sustain its current level of play, Atlanta's offense stands to generate a notably high scoring output.

Howard's offensive output has been limited to the opening round, and a return to her earlier form could apply added pressure on the Valkyries over the remainder of the series, despite their standing as the stronger defensive unit. Reese has demonstrated the attributes to leave a lasting mark on the sport, and the matchup with the Valkyries presents an opportunity for her to do so.

Reese has shown individual development within her position, while the squad overall has also made measurable strides since the two sides last met. Her production at both ends of the floor has grown within head coach Smesko's offensive and defensive framework. Reese posting double-double numbers across the series remains a realistic prospect, and that level of statistical output could position her as a Finals MVP contender while also contributing to Atlanta's chances of taking the title.