SAN FRANCISCO — Atlanta Dream coach Karl Smesko was optimistic that 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, and she was declared available to play ahead of tipoff.
Smesko said he 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 the Dream’s sweep of the New York Liberty in the best-of-five semifinal series with an injured left ring finger on her shooting hand.
Gray, 31, led the team in scoring in the regular season at 19 points 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 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.
