Angel Reese’s emphatic call for the ball sparked a 30‑point, 16‑rebound masterclass that handed the Atlanta Dream a 79‑65 win over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. The performance not only erased a quiet first‑half showing in the opener but also levelled the best‑of‑seven series at one apiece. Reese’s aggression, complemented by Rhyne Howard’s record‑tying six steals and solid contributions from Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada, gave Atlanta its maiden Finals triumph after three previous winless attempts. The victory sets up a pivotal Game 3 in Atlanta, where the series will shift to the larger State Farm Arena to accommodate a hungry fan base.
Reese’s Statement Performance
From the opening tip, Reese made it clear she wanted the ball, shouting “I need the ball! I need the ball!” amid the Valkyries’ raucous Chase Center crowd. She answered the demand with a double‑double that included 10 made field goals on 16 attempts, three assists and two blocks. After a scoreless second half in Game 1, Reese said she felt she had let her teammates down and vowed to leave a mark. “I just wanted to make sure I came out tonight and left my mark and did whatever I could to get the win,” she explained, noting that her effort extended beyond scoring to screens, hustle and rebounding. Her output placed her alongside Jonquel Jones (2019) and Breanna Stewart (2020) as the only players to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game.
Defensive Turnaround Fuels Dream
Atlanta’s defence was the catalyst for the turnaround. The Dream forced 19 Valkyries turnovers, converting them into 24 points—a stark contrast to the eight points off turnovers managed in Game 1. Rhyne Howard’s six steals set a new Finals benchmark, while Jordin Canada’s 10 assists and seven rebounds helped orchestrate the offence. Valkyries centre Kiah Stokes admitted Atlanta’s aggression caught them off guard: “She was definitely way more aggressive, she had a great game… We let everyone kind of have their way.” Point guard Veronica Burton lamented her team’s shooting woes, noting they shot just 34.4 % overall and 7‑for‑24 from three, missing looks they usually make. Atlanta’s head coach Karl Smesko pointed to the renewed focus on their defensive identity, saying the squad kept their foot on the pedal and trusted each other’s instincts.
Series Shifts to Atlanta’s Larger Arena
With the series even, Game 3 will move to Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, home of the NBA Hawks, to accommodate more spectators. The venue seats over 17,000, dwarfing the Dream’s regular 3,500‑capacity Gateway Center Arena. The Valkyries’ Chase Center, which holds 18,064 and has sold out every game since their inaugural season, hosted a boisterous “Ballhalla” crowd for Game 2. The shift underscores the growing interest in the Finals and offers Atlanta a chance to harness home‑court advantage in a setting that can truly amplify their energy.
Why it Matters
Reese’s explosive performance not only rescued the Dream from a potential 0‑2 hole but also signalled a shift in the series narrative, proving that Atlanta can match the Valkyries’ intensity when they embrace their defensive identity. The victory marks the franchise’s first ever Finals win, a milestone that could reshape perceptions of the Dream’s competitiveness on the national stage. As the series heads to Atlanta’s larger arena, the ability to sustain this level of defence and offensive execution will be decisive; a win in Game 3 would give Atlanta a commanding lead and bring them within one victory of their first WNBA championship.
