A record-setting performance from Reese
Angel Reese powered the Atlanta Dream to a 79-65 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Monday night at Chase Center in San Francisco, giving the franchise its first win in a WNBA Finals game and pulling the club level at one game apiece. Reese finished with 30 points and 16 rebounds, shooting 10-for-16 from the floor while adding three assists and two blocks.[S1][S2]
The outing made Reese the youngest player ever to post 30 points and 16 rebounds in a WNBA playoff game, according to the reporting. She also became the youngest to reach 30 points and 15 rebounds in a postseason contest. She joins Jonquel Jones, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart and A'ja Wilson as the only players to have recorded such a stat line.[S1][S2]
Supporting cast and the swing of the game
Allisha Gray contributed 18 points and five rebounds for Atlanta, while Jordin Canada posted 13 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. The Dream had dropped Game 1 and responded with a dominant effort in Game 2, controlling the matchup after the Valkyries had built an early edge.[S1][S2]
Golden State had controlled the opening quarter and led by four points at the first break, but Atlanta seized the advantage in the second and never surrendered it. Reese repeatedly attacked the paint, eventually getting the better of Valkyries post player Kiah Stokes, who had disrupted several of the Dream's attempts near the rim.[S1]
What the players said about the turnaround
Reese credited the atmosphere in San Francisco and the resilience of her teammates, describing the opening loss as difficult and stressing that the group had put it behind them. She said the team came out and competed.[S2]
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko, quoted in the reporting, pointed to defensive discipline and better decision-making as the difference, saying the Dream made the right plays down the stretch. Golden State coach Natalie Nakase, meanwhile, described the Valkyries as a young squad still learning to close out tight games.[S1]
Series heads to Atlanta
The Finals now move to Atlanta for Game 3 on Wednesday night, with the best-of-five series tied. The Dream will look to build on their first Finals victory in franchise history, while the Valkyries aim to reclaim the advantage on the road.[S1][S2]
