Reese takes control
Angel Reese delivered a commanding performance as the Atlanta Dream evened the WNBA Finals at 1-1 with a 79-65 victory over the Golden State Valkyries. Reese finished with 30 points and 16 rebounds in front of a raucous home crowd for Golden State, asserting herself as Atlanta’s go-to player throughout the game.
“I need the ball! I need the ball!” Reese told her teammates, a message she backed up on the court by shouldering the offensive load and producing the game’s most decisive plays.
Second-half surge
After a competitive first half, Atlanta pulled away after the break, outplaying the Valkyries across both ends of the floor. The Dream’s defensive intensity and offensive execution in the second half limited Golden State’s opportunities and enabled them to build a lead that the Valkyries could not overcome.
Reese’s double-double and leadership proved central to the turnaround, as she mixed scoring with offensive boards and physical presence in the paint. Her performance provided Atlanta with a reliable scoring option and helped swing momentum in the pivotal middle portions of the contest.
Implications for the series
The win leaves the best-of-five championship even, shifting the balance of the series as it moves forward. Atlanta’s ability to neutralize Golden State in front of the Valkyries’ supporters will be a point of focus for both teams as they prepare for the next matchup.
The Dream will look to build on their second-half performance, while the Valkyries must regroup after being outplayed after intermission if they hope to reclaim the series lead.