Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray sat on the bench after Friday's practice with an ice pack on her left hand, slipping into a black Velcro brace she says she wears whenever she is not doing actual basketball activities. Gray told ESPN she does not have screws in her hand, clarifying that the two scars are the result of a "minor procedure" she had after injuring herself in Game 1 of Atlanta's semifinal series against the New York Liberty. She would not give more details on the procedure.
"I am feeling fine, but I am not 100%," Gray said. Her injury caused her to miss most of the Liberty series before she returned for Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Golden State Valkyries, a game the Dream lost 68-64. Through the first three games of the series, Gray is averaging 15 points on 28.9% shooting, including 22.2% from the 3-point line, along with 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
"But the biggest thing for me is giving myself a lot of grace. I am literally playing for eight fingers," Gray said. She explained that her injured fingers don't overly affect her shot release and that she is not overthinking the physicality of her game. In Game 3, Gray briefly left the court after Gabby Williams made contact with her left hand, but she returned a few minutes later.
The Dream hold a 2-1 series lead in the Finals. Game 4 is Saturday at State Farm Arena.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing