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10/17 12:54 CDT Dream forward Allisha Gray expected to play in Game 1 of WNBA
Finals against Valkyries
Dream forward Allisha Gray expected to play in Game 1 of WNBA Finals against
Valkyries
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --- Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko was optimistic forward
Allisha Gray would return from a finger injury to play in Game 1 of the WNBA
Finals on Saturday against the Golden State Valkyries.
If Gray was cleared to play, Smesko didn't anticipate any restrictions for his
star player as the top two defensive teams in the league face off.
"She's going to go through the workout today. Everything's trending in the
right direction," Smesko said before the opener in the best-of-seven series at
sold-out Chase Center. "It's a hand injury, so if she can go I don't expect
there to be anything (limiting) other than if she has trouble with it during
the game."
Gray participated in light practice Friday after missing the last two games of
Atlanta's sweep of the New York Liberty in the best-of-three semifinal series
with an injured left ring finger --- on her shooting hand.
The 31-year-old Gray led the team in scoring in the regular season at 19 points
per game and is the best outside shooter for Atlanta with 3.1 3-pointers per
game.
The Valkyries have sold out every game at Chase Center during their two years
of existence, and the raucous, violet-crazed "Ballhalla" home crowd has been
deafening so far this postseason. It makes for a frenzied scene as opposing
teams visit.
Atlanta hadn't done any specific preparations for the noise.
"We do understand how loud it is here and how supportive their fans are and
what a great atmosphere and environment they've provided the W," Smesko said.
"So we understand what we're in for."
So do the Valkyries.
"We understand that Ballhalla's going to be rocking," said Golden State coach
Natalie Nakase, who this week challenged the fans to do their own game-planning
for Game 1.
___
See AP's full WNBA coverage here
