™The Finals came to Atlanta, and Atlanta showed out. In front of a sold-out State Farm Arena crowd of more than 17,000, the Dream dismantled the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 on Wednesday night to take a 2-1 series lead — halfway to the first championship in franchise history.
Reese is rewriting the Finals record book
Angel Reese posted 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals — her third straight double-double to open the Finals, something no player in WNBA history had ever done in their first three Finals games. After a 30-point, 16-rebound eruption in Game 2, Reese is now the youngest player ever with consecutive 20-and-10 Finals games, joining A'ja Wilson as the only players to do it back-to-back. She even drained two threes; Atlanta is 14-0 this year when she hits one.
A total team demolition
This was no one-woman show. Rhyne Howard scored 16 with five steals, Naz Hillmon added 15, and Jordin Canada ran the offense with 10 points and eight assists. The Dream shot 49 percent, owned the paint 44-20, and have outscored Golden State 43-11 in transition across the series. Golden State didn't make a field goal until midway through the first quarter and shot just 35 percent on the night.
Golden State is searching for answers
Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 15 points on 5-for-18 shooting; Tiffany Hayes had 14. "This game they wanted it more than us," Hayes admitted. Coach Natalie Nakase's postgame message was simple: it's still a long series. But the Valkyries trail in a series for the first time this postseason, and the adjustments have to come fast.
What it means
Game 4 is Saturday at 1 p.m. ET in Atlanta (NBC/Peacock), and a Dream win puts them one victory from a title. Golden State, the expansion darling that dethroned the Aces to get here, is now the team with its back against the wall. Two more wins, and a 13-year wait ends in Atlanta.