Angel Reese Lifts Dream to 97-71 Game 3 Win as Atlanta Takes 2-1 Finals Lead

Q: Will Angel Reese's historic momentum secure the Atlanta Dream's first-ever WNBA championship this Saturday?

Angel Reese’s momentum gives Atlanta its best chance yet, but it is not likely to secure the title this Saturday by itself. The clearest fact is the series math: Atlanta leads 2-1 after Game 3, so a win Saturday would put the Dream up 3-1, not clinch the championship. They still would need one more victory, with Game 5 scheduled in San Francisco. So Reese can put Atlanta on the brink this weekend, but she cannot single-handedly finish the job Saturday unless the series format changes, which it has not. That said, Reese has been the biggest reason Atlanta now controls the series. She has posted three straight Finals double-doubles and is coming off 30 points and 16 rebounds in Game 2, followed by 21 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3. Atlanta has also gotten strong support from Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada and Naz Hillmon, and the Dream’s defense has forced turnovers while disrupting Gabby Williams and Golden State’s rhythm. The bigger indicator for Saturday is whether Atlanta can repeat its team formula: dominate the glass, pressure Golden State into mistakes and get balanced scoring around Reese. In Game 3, the Dream shot nearly 50%, controlled the paint and turned 17 Valkyries turnovers into a decisive edge. So Reese’s historic form makes Atlanta the favorite in Game 4, especially at home in front of another large crowd. But securing the franchise’s first championship remains a two-step task, and Atlanta still must prove it can close the series.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Oct 22

Atlanta seized a 2-1 WNBA Finals lead with a 97-71 rout of Golden State, fueled by Angel Reese’s 21 points and 12 rebounds in her third straight Finals double-double.
The Dream finally broke open the series offensively, shooting a series-best 49.3% and hitting nine 3-pointers after two low-scoring games in San Francisco.
Rhyne Howard added 16 points and became the first player with five steals in consecutive Finals games, while Atlanta turned 17 Valkyries turnovers into 22 points.
Golden State shot 34.8% and never found sustained rhythm; Gabby Williams led with 15 points as coach Natalie Nakase said the team’s fight "together" was missing.
The sold-out crowd of 17,099 gave Atlanta its first home Finals win and moved the Dream two victories from the franchise’s first WNBA championship.