The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97–71 in WNBA Finals Game 3 on Wednesday 21 October to take a 2–1 series lead. Angel Reese scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in front of a sold-out crowd at State Farm Arena, according to the Dream.
It was the Dream’s first home win in a WNBA Finals. The best-of-seven series now moves to Game 4 in Atlanta on Saturday 24 October, with the Dream two wins from their first championship.
How the Dream Won WNBA Finals Game 3
Atlanta struck first and never trailed. The Valkyries missed their first eight shots and did not score until a Kaila Charles free throw midway through the first quarter, the Valkyries said.
Golden State fought back and levelled the game at 49–49 early in the third quarter, CBS Sports reported. However, the Dream answered with an 8–0 run, capped by a Reese layup, and then pulled clear.
In the end, Atlanta outscored Golden State 51–31 after half-time. The Dream shot 49% from the field and hit nine of their 22 three-pointers, while the Valkyries made just 34.8% of their shots.
Turnovers Hurt Golden State Again
Turnovers decided the game. The Valkyries gave the ball away 17 times, and the Dream turned those mistakes into 22 points.
That follows 19 turnovers in Game 2, a season high for Golden State. “Unfortunately, if you turn the ball over, Atlanta’s going to make you pay,” coach Natalie Nakase said, Yahoo Sports reported.
Gabby Williams led Golden State with 15 points and eight assists but shot just five of 18. Meanwhile, Tiffany Hayes added 14 points off the bench, and Cecilia Zandalasini scored 13 in 20 minutes.
Angel Reese Keeps Making History
Reese, 24, became the youngest player to post a double-double in three straight Finals games, the Dream said. She is also the youngest to record 20 points and 10 rebounds in back-to-back Finals games.
Her Game 2 display was even bigger. She scored 30 points and took 16 rebounds in a 79–65 win in San Francisco, Yahoo Sports reported, making her the youngest player in WNBA history to post a 30–15 game in the play-offs.
After Game 3, Reese thanked the home crowd. “Our fans showed up in every single possession,” she said.
Read more about her rise in our Angel Reese profile.
Rhyne Howard’s Defensive Show
Rhyne Howard added 16 points and five steals in Game 3. As a result, she became the first player with five or more steals in consecutive Finals games, according to the Dream.
In addition, Naz Hillmon scored 15 points, Izzy Borlase added 12, and Jordin Canada chipped in with 10 points and eight assists. In total, five Dream players reached double figures.
How the Series Got Here
Golden State won Game 1 68–64 in San Francisco on 17 October. Williams scored 26 points, including the decisive free throws in the final minute, the Valkyries said.
Atlanta then levelled the series with Game 2, which was the Dream’s first win in a WNBA Finals. Before this year, they had lost all nine Finals games they played, in 2010, 2011 and 2013, according to the WNBA.
Either way, a new name will go on the trophy. Neither team has won a WNBA title, and the Valkyries are only in their second season. See how they built their roster in our WNBA expansion guide.
What Comes Next After WNBA Finals Game 3
Dream coach Karl Smesko urged caution. “We have two wins. We need two more,” he said.
Here is the rest of the schedule, according to the WNBA:
- Game 4: Saturday 24 October, State Farm Arena, Atlanta. 1pm ET, 6pm BST, 6pm WAT.
- Game 5: Monday 26 October, Chase Center, San Francisco. 8pm ET, midnight GMT, 1am WAT on Tuesday.
- Game 6 (if needed): Thursday 29 October in Atlanta, 8pm ET.
- Game 7 (if needed): Saturday 31 October, Chase Center, 8pm ET.
Allisha Gray remains one to watch. She has played through a left-hand injury throughout the Finals and briefly went to the locker room during Game 3.
Can the Dream close it out, or will the Valkyries bounce back? Tell us in the comments.
