Full Breakdown
Angel Reese Leads Atlanta Dream to 2-1 Lead in 2026 WNBA Finals
By Drooid · · How we work
Game 3: Dream Dominate Valkyries
On Wednesday, October 21, the Atlanta Dream routed the Golden State Valkyries 97–71 at State Farm Arena, taking a 2-1 series edge. Forward Angel Reese posted a historic double-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals, becoming the youngest player to record double-doubles in each of her first three Finals games.
The Dream’s balanced attack featured Rhyne Howard (16 points), Naz Hillmon (15 points), and rookie Isobel Borlase (12 points off the bench). Guard Jordin Canada added 10 points and eight assists, while the team shot 49.3 % from the field and out-rebounded the Valkyries 44-20 in the paint.
Golden State shot 35 %, turning the ball over 17 times and were held to 71 points, their lowest total all season.
Background & Context
The series opened with a narrow Golden State win in San Francisco. Atlanta answered with a Game 2 victory on the road, highlighted by Reese’s 30-point, 16-rebound effort. Game 3 was the Dream’s first Finals home game in 13 years and the first at State Farm Arena after the league moved the contest from the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena to accommodate a larger crowd.
Atlanta acquired Reese on April 6 in a trade aimed at boosting postseason prospects. The Dream entered the Finals without a championship in three prior appearances.
Key Figures
- Angel Reese – Forward, Defensive Player of the Year, historic double-double streak.
- Rhyne Howard – Forward, primary perimeter defender.
- Naz Hillmon – Forward, three-point specialist.
- Isobel Borlase – Guard, key bench scorer.
- Karl Smesko – Dream head coach, emphasized self-correction after early mistakes.
- Natalie Nakase – Valkyries head coach, accepted responsibility for the team’s lack of discipline.
Data & Statistics
- Final score: Atlanta 97, Golden State 71.
- Reese: 21 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl.
- Dream shooting: 49.3 % FG, 9-of-22 (41 %) 3-pt, 44-20 in the paint.
- Valkyries shooting: 35 % FG, 12-of-22 (55 %) 3-pt, 17 turnovers.
On-the-Ground Reports
The game was a sold-out spectacle, with 17,099 fans filling State Farm Arena. The crowd featured music stars Ludacris, 2 Chainz, actress Kerry Washington, and former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, who declined a private suite. The atmosphere contributed to Atlanta’s early 9-1 lead and sustained momentum.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We feel good – we’re still pissed that we lost the first game,” — Reese
- “It feels good when you’re in the finals – when you can do it at the highest level; this is what I live for,” — Reese
- “We fought for this arena, so we have to protect it,” — Howard
- “We’re only halfway home. We have two wins. We need two more.” — Smesko
What’s Next
Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday, October 24 at State Farm Arena. A Dream win would tie the series 2-2; a Valkyries win would even the series and force a return to San Francisco for Game 5.