ATLANTA -- Allisha Gray sat on the bench after the Atlanta Dream finished practice Friday with an ice pack on her left hand. After removing the ice, she slipped her hand into a black Velcro brace, which she said she wears anytime she is not participating in actual basketball activities.
Gray also told ESPN that she does not have screws in her hand, before clarifying that the two scars on her hand are the result of the "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 Friday.
As a result of her injury, Gray missed most of the series against the Liberty before returning 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, to go 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. "It's knowing I am not 100% 'Lish,' the one that can hit shots and things like that. But if I give myself grace, I know the other ways I can impact the game ... I just am trying not to be so hard on myself."
Ahead of Game 1, Gray said that her injured fingers don't overly impact her shot release and she isn't overthinking the physicality she plays with. In Game 3, Gray briefly exited the court after Gabby Williams made contact with her left hand, but she returned a few minutes later.
The Dream currently hold a 2-1 series advantage in the Finals. Game 4 is Saturday at StateFarm Arena.
