The WNBA Finals finally came to Atlanta on Wednesday night, and the Dream made sure the city will remember it. Atlanta beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 at State Farm Arena to take a 2-1 series lead. The Dream are now two wins away from the first championship in franchise history, and Game 4 is back in the same building on Saturday.
The First Finals Win at Home
The Dream hosted Finals games on each of their three previous trips and lost every one of them. Wednesday was the first time Atlanta fans got to see their team win a Finals game in person, and the Dream came out like they knew it. They won the first quarter 23-15 and set the tone early. Golden State pushed back in the second quarter, outscoring Atlanta 25-23, and the Dream took a 46-40 lead into halftime.
Then the third quarter happened again. Just like in Game 2, the Dream took over after halftime. They won the third quarter 25-17 to go up 71-57, and the lead kept growing in the fourth. Atlanta won the fourth quarter 26-14, and the lead got as big as 26.
Angel Reese Did Angel Reese Things
Reese did not need 30 points this time. She finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, another double-double, and she even knocked down both of her three-point attempts. More than the numbers, she set the tone on both ends, and the Valkyries never found an answer for her inside.
Rhyne Howard followed up her record-setting Game 2 with 16 points and five steals. She has been a nightmare for Golden State’s ball handlers all series.
The Supporting Cast Showed Up Again
The surprise of the night was Naz Hillmon. She scored 15 points, including three threes. Isobel Borlase added 12, Jordin Canada had 10 points and eight assists, and DeWanna Bonner chipped in seven. When you get that kind of production from your role players in a Finals game, you are in great shape.
Turnovers Hurt Golden State Again
In my preview, I said the Valkyries could not afford another 19-turnover game. They got close. Golden State turned it over 17 times, and Atlanta turned those into 22 points. On the other end, the Dream committed just 10 turnovers.
The Valkyries actually shot well from three, making 12 of 30. The problem was everywhere else. They made just 12 of their 39 two-point attempts, and Atlanta dominated the paint 44-20. Gabby Williams bounced back a little with 15 points, but she still needed 18 shots to get there. Tiffany Hayes added 14, and Cecilia Zandalasini and Janelle Salaun hit some threes, but Golden State never put together a real run in the second half.
My Pick
I picked Dream 74, Valkyries 68 in my Game 3 preview. I got the winner right, but I was way off on the score. I said I did not expect a shootout, and the Dream went out and scored 97. I will take it.
What’s Next
| Game | Date | Location | Result / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sat., Oct. 17 | San Francisco | Valkyries 68, Dream 64 |
| Game 2 | Mon., Oct. 19 | San Francisco | Dream 79, Valkyries 65 |
| Game 3 | Wed., Oct. 21 | Atlanta | Dream 97, Valkyries 71 |
| Game 4 | Sat., Oct. 24 | Atlanta | 1 p.m. ET |
| Game 5 | Mon., Oct. 26 | San Francisco | 8 p.m. ET |
| Game 6* | Thu., Oct. 29 | Atlanta | 8 p.m. ET |
| Game 7* | Sat., Oct. 31 | San Francisco | 8 p.m. ET |
*If necessary
Game 4 is Saturday afternoon back at State Farm Arena. A win puts the Dream one game away from a title with a chance to finish it in San Francisco on Monday. A loss ties the series and turns it into a best-of-three.
Eleven tries to win one Finals game, and now Atlanta has won two straight. The Valkyries have been the toughest out in the league all season, so I am not handing out the trophy yet. But right now, Atlanta has the momentum, the best player in the series and a crowd that showed up loud on Wednesday night. I like the Dream to take Game 4 too. I am ready for Saturday.
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