The Atlanta Dream bounced back in the WNBA Finals on Monday night, securing a 79-65 win against the Golden State Valkyries to level the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Angel Reese delivered a commanding performance at San Francisco’s Chase Center, recording 30 points and 16 rebounds. With this display, Reese became the third player in history to post at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Having salvaged a split in front of the boisterous “Ballhalla” crowd at Chase Center, they now head home. Joining Jonquel Jones of Connecticut in 2019 and Breanna Stewart of Seattle in 2020, reese became the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game. But Reese simply would not have it, foul trouble almost did in the Dream this time. According to when I, They didn’t do anything to mess us up, it was literally just us,” Reese said.
The Dream, seeking their first title, took control in the second half through a robust defensive effort.
Rhyne Howard set a new Finals record by recording six steals, while Jordin Canada contributed 13 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. Atlanta’s defense forced 19 turnovers, translating those opportunities into 24 points. This aggressive approach marks a return to the form that brought the franchise through the playoffs, a stark improvement from their eight points off turnovers in Game 1.
Reese, who had been held scoreless in the second half of the series opener, turned her performance around by shooting 10 for 16 from the floor while adding two blocks. Reflecting on the shift, Reese noted that after reviewing film, the team realized the previous loss resulted more from their own mistakes than the opponent’s strategy. She credited the team for fighting through the tough “Ballhalla” environment to secure the split before the series shifts to Georgia. “We watched film and saw the things that we messed up on. But delivered the big baskets and key defensive stops two days later, finishing 10 for 16 from the floor while dishing out three assists and blocking two shots, she went scoreless in the second half of the opener.
For the Valkyries, Gabby Williams was held to 14 points on 3-for-15 shooting. Point guard Veronica Burton expressed frustration with the team’s execution, noting they struggled to hit shots that are typically routine. The defeat represents Golden State’s first regulation loss since an August 21 game against Chicago. Going 7 for 24 from the 3-point range, gabby Williams finished with 14 points on 3-for-15 shooting after she was the only Golden State player to score in double figures with 26 points in Game 1. “We shot terribly,” point guard Veronica Burton said. “We missed shots that we make all the time.”.
Valkyries centre Kiah Stokes acknowledged the defensive lapse, admitting the team allowed Atlanta too much freedom on the court.
As the series heads to Atlanta for Game 3 on Wednesday, the venue will shift to the State Farm Arena—the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks—to accommodate a larger capacity of over 17,000 spectators, significantly exceeding the 3,500-seat capacity of the Dream’s regular home at Gateway Center Arena.
Chase Center, which has sold out every game since the Valkyries began playing last year, seats 18,064.
