Angel Reese delivered 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Atlanta separated decisively after halftime to beat Golden State 97–71 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday. The Dream now lead the championship series 2–1 after a performance that combined Reese's work inside with scoring and passing throughout the lineup.
The final margin was much larger than the halftime situation suggested. Atlanta led 46–40 at the break, leaving Golden State within two three-pointers. The Dream then won the third quarter 25–17 and the fourth 26–14. Their 51–31 advantage across the second half transformed a competitive game into a 26-point victory.
Reese's double-double gave Atlanta its strongest individual scoring and rebounding line. Her 12 rebounds represented nearly one-third of the Dream's 37 total, and she added three assists. The former Chicago Sky forward remains a familiar figure for Chicago basketball audiences, but Wednesday's result belonged to an Atlanta team receiving substantial contributions around her.
Rhyne Howard scored 16 points and recorded five steals. Naz Hillmon added 15 points, while Isobel Borlase supplied 12. Jordin Canada finished with 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Five Dream players reached double figures, allowing Atlanta to keep producing without needing Reese to account for an overwhelming share of the scoring.
Canada's eight assists were particularly important to the distribution visible in the final box score. Atlanta recorded 26 assists on 34 made field goals. That total does not identify the design of every possession, but it does show how often a teammate's pass directly preceded a basket. The Dream's scoring was accompanied by creation across the floor.
The shooting comparison reveals why Golden State's respectable three-point performance could not keep the game close. The Valkyries made 12 of 30 attempts from beyond the arc, a 40 percent rate. Atlanta made nine of 22, or 40.9 percent. Golden State actually gained nine points from the difference in made threes. The game was decided by much more than perimeter accuracy.
Inside the arc, Atlanta made 25 of 47 attempts. Golden State made 12 of 39. Those totals, calculated from the official field-goal and three-point lines, give the Dream a 26-point advantage on two-point baskets. It is the clearest numerical explanation for why the Valkyries could shoot well from three and still finish far behind overall.
Atlanta also generated more scoring at the foul line. The Dream converted 20 of 29 free throws, while Golden State made 11 of 17. Atlanta did leave nine points unclaimed at the stripe, so the victory was not a flawless offensive performance. Its greater volume of attempts nevertheless produced another nine-point advantage in a category separate from the two-point shooting gap.
Overall, Atlanta shot 34 for 69 from the field, a 49.3 percent rate. Golden State took the same number of field-goal attempts and made 24, finishing at 34.8 percent. Equal shot volume makes the difference in conversion especially clear: the Dream scored on ten more attempts before the added value of threes and free throws is considered.
Golden State's offensive production was led by Gabby Williams, who scored 15 points and supplied eight assists. Tiffany Hayes added 14 points. Cecilia Zandalasini and Janelle Salaun each finished with 13. Those four players combined for 55 of the Valkyries' 71 points, but the team did not find enough additional scoring to match Atlanta's second-half pace.
The rebounding margin was comparatively modest. Atlanta finished with 37 rebounds and Golden State with 34. The Valkyries collected nine offensive rebounds to the Dream's six, giving them some additional chances after misses. Atlanta's advantage therefore should not be described as a comprehensive takeover of the glass. Reese's individual rebounding was substantial; the team separation was driven more sharply by shooting and scoring balance.
The quarter-by-quarter progression also matters when assessing what Golden State must address. Atlanta led 23–15 after one quarter, but the Valkyries won the second 25–23 to reduce the deficit. They had demonstrated an ability to recover within the game. The response after halftime failed to sustain that improvement, and Atlanta increased the margin in both remaining periods.
For the Dream, a 2–1 advantage changes the position of the series without settling it. Wednesday supplied evidence that Atlanta can win with several scoring options and with Reese contributing on the boards as well as in the scoring column. It also showed that a strong night from the opponent's three-point shooters does not automatically dictate the outcome when Atlanta is more productive in other areas.
For Golden State, the practical challenge is to turn its perimeter production into a more complete offense while limiting Atlanta's two-point efficiency. The official numbers identify those problems; they cannot determine the next result. Game 3 gave the Dream control of the series lead through a second half that was more balanced, more efficient and substantially more productive than the Valkyries' answer.
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