SAN FRANCISCO — Angel Reese delivered a commanding 30-point, 16-rebound performance Monday night as the Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 79-65 at Chase Center, leveling the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at one game each.
The victory marked a historic breakthrough for the Dream, representing the organization’s first-ever WNBA Finals triumph after opening its franchise Finals history with 10 straight defeats dating back to three previous sweeps in the 2010s, according to reports by ABC News and Roundtable Sports.
Reese dominates both ends
Reese shot 10 of 16 from the field, sank 9 of 11 free throws, and contributed three assists and two blocked shots in just under 34 minutes of action. After going scoreless in the second half of Saturday’s 68-64 Game 1 loss, the Dream forward vowed to shift her approach.
“I wanted to make sure that I came out tonight and left my mark and do what I could to win, and I think I did that tonight,” Reese told reporters, according to WHERE IS THE BUZZ.
With her stat line, Reese became the third player in league history to post at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, matching Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, ABC News reported. Roundtable Sports noted league records also identify Reese as the youngest player to compile that stat line in any WNBA postseason game.
Allisha Gray provided 18 points for Atlanta, while Jordin Canada notched a double-double with 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Rhyne Howard contributed five points and set a WNBA Finals single-game record by collecting six steals, despite playing through first-half foul trouble alongside Reese.
Decisive third-quarter surge
After Golden State took an early lead behind bench contributions and built a six-point cushion in the second quarter, Atlanta used a late run to edge ahead 39-37 at the break. The game shifted permanently during the third quarter, when Atlanta outscored Golden State 21-9.
The Dream converted all 12 of their free throws in the period and capitalized on defensive stops. Golden State struggled against Atlanta’s active passing lanes, committing 19 turnovers that led to 24 points for the Dream, ABC News and Roundtable Sports reported, though Yahoo Sports placed the Valkyries’ turnover total at 18.
Atlanta extended its margin to 21 early in the fourth quarter when Canada sank a pair of free throws to make it 69-48. The Valkyries got no closer than 14 points down the stretch, finishing with zero fast-break points on the night.
Valkyries struggle from the floor
Golden State shot 34.4 percent from the field and went 7 for 24 from 3-point territory before a sellout crowd of 18,064 fans. Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes each scored 14 points to lead the Valkyries, but Williams converted only 3 of 15 attempts after scoring 26 in the opener. Kiah Stokes collected 11 rebounds and four blocks.
“We shot terribly,” Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said, according to ABC News. “We missed shots that we make all the time.”
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase credited Atlanta’s energy in disrupting the offense. “Just credit to them their effort, their hustle, their fight,” Nakase said, according to Roundtable Sports. “I thought they did an excellent job getting into those lanes and creating those turnovers.”
What comes next
The series now shifts to Georgia for Game 3 on Wednesday night. Atlanta’s home games are moving to State Farm Arena, home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, which accommodates over 17,000 spectators compared to the 3,500-seat capacity at the Dream’s regular venue, Gateway Center Arena.
