Atlanta still does not know if Allisha Gray can play. Hours before tipoff, Karl Smesko gave his update on the finger injury, and it did not settle the question. The Dream’s most gifted scorer was supposed to be back for Game 1. Now the offense, and the game itself, hangs on a decision made just before the ball goes up.
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Speaking to the reporter, Smesko indicated that Gray’s availability would be a game-time decision.
“She’s going to go through the workout today. Everything’s trending in the right direction,” Smesko said before Game 1 at Chase Center, per Associated Press. “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.”
The Dream star has been out with the injury since Game 1 of the semifinals against the New York Liberty. She suffered an injury in her left ring finger, which required a minor procedure to fix. She was listed day-to-day, but was expected to play in Game 1 of the WNBA finals.
On Oct. 15, Gray told reporters she expected to be part of the lineup for Game 1. However, the decision on her availability to participate would still be made by the medical team.
“Just me getting comfortable, being able to handle the physicality of practice and stuff, which has been feeling well,” Gray told reporters after practice Thursday. “But I’m going to leave it up to the medical staff. I feel good. Been taking it day by day. Progress has been well.”
She participated in a workout on Friday, but from Smesko’s statement, the medical team still doesn’t seem so sure about the decision. However, from his statement that there would be no restriction on Gray’s minutes if she plays, at least some positive news about her recovery can be expected.
The Dream played Games 2 & 3 without Gray and swept the 2024 champions. Gray is their best scorer, but Atlanta proved that they can still be the better team on the floor when it mattered.
Gray led her team in scoring during the regular season, averaging 19.0 points per game. She shot 46.2% from the field and 33.8% from the 3-point line.
The Dream already has the best offensive and defensive numbers in this playoff. The addition of Gray could spike their chances of snatching Game 1 away from the Valkyries.