The Atlanta Dream finally achieved a first for their franchise: winning a game in the WNBA Finals. The Dream bounced back to earn a 79-65 victory in Game 2 against the Golden State Valkyries, thanks to the team’s dominant third quarter and a stellar night from star forward Angel Reese.
Reese, who scored 15 points in the first half, set the tone for Atlanta and the rest of the team rose to his level. Reese finished with a game-high 30 points and 16 rebounds, including 12 on defense.
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While the Dream ran away in the end, Game 2 was close early on. Neither team was able to take more than a two-point lead throughout the first half and most of the third quarter.
A 12-4 run by Atlanta to close the second quarter gave the Dream a 39-37 halftime lead. But they had early problems, with Rhyne Howard committing four fouls in the first half and Reese having three.
Even with the Dream on their tail, the Valkyries looked in control for most of the first half. That completely changed after halftime as Atlanta surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Valkyries 21-9 by drawing fouls and taking advantage of Golden State’s sloppy turnovers. Chase Center – affectionately known as “Ballhalla” – which was so loud during the first game and much of the second game, went silent.
The Valkyries needed a few minutes in the fourth quarter before showing some life, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a double-digit deficit.
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Monday saw a much cleaner team effort for the Dream than the opener, as Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada fell by double digits and Atlanta remained calm in surging Ballhalla. But the star of the show was Reese, who collected several gritty finishes and one in the paint and got excited about her own and her teammates’ games.
The second-half collapse was stunning for Golden State, whose shooting died down shortly after halftime. Gabby Williams, Golden State’s hero in Game 1, finished with 14 points, which led the team, alongside Tiffany Hayes’ 14 off the bench.
But the real downfall of the Valkyries is the fouls. The Dream scored 30 points on free throws after committing 23 fouls. The Valkyries had 18 turnovers, but only four more than the Dream; 14 of 18 were interceptions, as the Dream found a way to intercept weak passes with ease. Howard made six of those steals, setting a WNBA Finals record.
The Dream had appeared in three other WNBA Finals (2010, 2012, 2013), but was swept each time.
Now they return to Atlanta with home-court advantage as they attempt to win the franchise’s first WNBA title.
Yahoo Sports Team
Pretty good company, Angel Reese.
Yahoo Sports Team
This is Atlanta’s first WNBA Finals victory in franchise history, and Angel Reese was a big reason for W’s victory.
Cassandra Negley
“GSV” chants broke out here after the buzzer as the teams met at half court. Easily, 90% of the arena was still stationary in the bowl. They will have at least one more game here in Ballhalla now that the series is tied 1-1.
Yahoo Sports Team
A bit of sour cherry at the end of this one… Kaila Charles and Rhyne Howard had a few words, and there’s more chatter after Charles fouled Jordin Canada.
Yahoo Sports Team
She scores her 30th point, and the Dream finishes this one.
Yahoo Sports Team
Gabby Williams scores her 14th point of the night to bring the Valkyries within 15, but time is running out. Atlanta calls a timeout to try to kill any momentum.
Kari Anderson
Angel Reese now has five fouls, after committing two fouls in a row. Her second of the two came when the Valkyries rebounded Tiffany Hayes’ missed free throw – which Hayes was shooting following Reese’s first foul. This is not an ideal sequence.
Reese will stay, after apparently telling her coaches that she understands the stakes and that she should be OK for the last five minutes and change.
Kari Anderson
A three-pointer by Gabby Williams was just the second basket Golden State scored this quarter – following a layup by Tip Hayes more than three minutes earlier.
Even with fouls and turnovers sinking the Valkyries in that second half, they just didn’t score. Williams’ shooting from beyond the arc offers some relief, although Golden State still has a long way to go.
Kari Anderson
Cassandra Negley
Golden State makes some really stupid passes that allowed Atlanta to take this lead. Seven turnovers in the third matched their TO total from the first half.
Kari Anderson
Jordin Canada ends an excellent third quarter for the Dream with a magnificent three-count.
Golden State is now down 14 points after being outscored 21-9 in the game.
Kari Anderson
Angel Reese was fouled again, this time by Tiffany Hayes, who knocked Reese to the floor on a breakaway.
Reese seemed to point to the field and say “That’s my field!” after drawing the foul. Great intensity from the 24-year-old attacker, who now has 24 points after making free throws.
Cassandra Negley
Atlanta attempted 11 free throws in the first half. The Dream attempted 12 in this quarter alone. Golden State has attempted zero attempts and remains 12 of 12 from the line.
Kari Anderson
The “Ref, you suck” chants began after Kiah Stokes was cautioned for a foul on Angel Reese, who made both free throws to give Atlanta a 51-44 lead – the largest lead of the game, by either team.
Two more free throws from Naz Hillmon, and Atlanta is now nine points ahead. My friends, we are approaching double digits.
Kari Anderson
Cassandra Negley
Karl Smesko said that after the first game, if those late-game 3-point attempts weren’t going in and out, we’d be having a different conversation. …A few have already been in and out here today in Game 2.
Kari Anderson
Kaitlyn Chen clearly fouls DeWanna Bonner, grabbing her arms to try to stop her from scoring a breakaway basket.
Officials considered whether to make it flagrant, given the contact, but ruled it a shooting foul. Bonner will shoot two free throws.
Cassandra Negley
Kiah Stokes’ defense of Angel Reese so far in this series… PHEW, phenomenal. Reese has to find ways to continue punishing them in transition, or find the kick. Overall, another crappy shooter from both teams.
Kari Anderson
We’re back and Veronica Burton gets the second half off to a quick start with a big three-point basket to regain the lead. There have already been three interceptions in the opening minutes. The energy is high, as is the intensity.
Gn sports
