Valkyries vs. Dream: Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard lead Atlanta to 97-71 rout and a 2-1 WNBA Finals lead

For the second straight game, the Atlanta Dream turned the third quarter into a knockout punch. Angel Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Rhyne Howard added 16 points and five steals, and the Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night at a sold-out State Farm Arena. Atlanta now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1. “Valkyries vs dream” drew more than 200,000 US searches, according to Google Trends.

Valkyries vs. Dream: Game 3 score and how it happened

Atlanta’s defense set the tone immediately. The Valkyries missed their first eight shots and didn’t score until a Kaila Charles free throw nearly five minutes in, according to the Valkyries’ recap. The Dream led 23-15 after one quarter and 46-40 at halftime in what the Dream called “a tight defensive battle.”

Golden State came out hot after the break and tied the game 49-49 with 7:45 left in the third. Dream coach Karl Smesko said he nearly called a timeout but saw his players talking through what needed fixing. Atlanta answered with an 8-0 run, capped by a Reese defensive rebound and end-to-end layup.

The Dream closed the quarter on a 12-2 run, including two 3-pointers from DeWanna Bonner and back-to-back blocks by Izzy Borlase and Howard, to lead 71-57 entering the fourth. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase was called for a technical foul after protesting a charge drawn by Jordin Canada. Two Howard free throws after a steal made it 80-60 in the fourth, and Atlanta cruised from there.

“We want to be the best third quarter team coming out at halftime because I think that takes their confidence,” Reese said, per the Dream. “It puts them away.”

Angel Reese stats and the Dream’s record night

Reese’s 21 points and 12 rebounds made her the youngest player in WNBA history to post double-doubles in three consecutive Finals games, according to the Dream. Howard, meanwhile, became the first player in league history with at least five steals in consecutive Finals games.

Atlanta Dream leaders:

• Angel Reese: 21 points, 12 rebounds
• Rhyne Howard: 16 points, 5 steals
• Naz Hillmon: 15 points
• Izzy Borlase: 12 points
• Jordin Canada: 10 points, 8 assists

Atlanta held Golden State to 34.8% shooting and forced 17 turnovers, which it turned into 22 points. The Dream shot 49%.

“Angel shows up in every game,” Hillmon said. “She brings her teammates along, and that’s exactly what happened today.”

Valkyries: bench sparks, but not enough

Golden State got 38 bench points, the team noted, the third time this postseason it has topped 35. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 15 points, a postseason career-high eight assists and three steals. Tiffany Hayes added 14 off the bench, while Janelle Salaün, the 2026 Sixth Player of the Year, and Cecilia Zandalasini scored 13 each. Kiah Stokes had 11 rebounds and three blocks.

“It was very uncharacteristic of us,” Hayes said. “We can adjust, but we have to do it now, and we have to stay together and do it.”

Nakase sounded calm. “What’s good is that we usually come back even tighter,” she said, per the team. “I’m now excited to go look at the film, be curious, and then build a better game plan to win the next game.”

How many games are in the WNBA Finals?

The WNBA Finals are a best-of-seven series, so the first team to four wins takes the title. Atlanta needs two more. “We’re only halfway home,” Smesko said. “We have two wins. We need two more.”

WNBA Finals schedule: when is Game 4?

According to the Valkyries:

• Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 24, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) on NBC and Peacock
• Game 5: Monday, Oct. 26, at Chase Center in San Francisco, 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on USA and Peacock

FAQ

Who won Valkyries vs. Dream Game 3? The Atlanta Dream won 97-71.

What is the WNBA Finals series score? Atlanta leads 2-1.

How did Angel Reese play? She had 21 points and 12 rebounds, her third straight Finals double-double.

Where is Game 4? At State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 24.