Reese steered the Dream to its first-ever WNBA finals win

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Angel Reese scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Atlanta Dream to a 79-65 win in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, snapping the franchise’s 0-10 finals losing streak and tying the series 1-1 against the Golden State Valkyries. The victory marks a turning point for the Dream as they prepare to host Game 3 in a larger arena, signaling growing momentum and confidence in their pursuit of their first championship.

Angel Reese led the Atlanta Dream to their first-ever WNBA Finals victory Monday night, helping the team even the best-of-seven series against the Golden State Valkyries at 1-1. The Dream secured a 79-65 win in Game 2, snapping their previous 0-10 finals game losing streak that stretched across three separate championship appearances.

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko, in his second season with the Dream, noted Reese’s intense focus and aggressive play from the opening tipoff. Reese contributed 30 points and 16 rebounds, becoming the youngest player in WNBA history to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a playoff game, and joining just six players overall to achieve the feat in postseason competition. Her dominant performance on both ends of the court helped Atlanta regain momentum after a narrow 68-64 loss in Game 1 on Saturday.

Rhyne Howard also delivered a standout defensive effort, setting a WNBA Finals single-game record with six steals. The Dream’s pressure defense forced the Valkyries into 19 turnovers, which in turn led to 24 points for Atlanta. Golden State’s coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged the Dream’s relentless hustle and attributed the turnovers to Atlanta’s disruptive defense.

Reese expressed determination to rebound from her scoreless second half in Game 1, emphasizing the team’s collective disappointment in the initial loss and their resolve to respond. “This is a good environment and a good team. We all came together and we were pissed. We felt disappointed, we felt embarrassed, and we didn’t like the outcome of that last game,” said Reese.

Golden State point guard Veronica Burton acknowledged the team's struggles with ball security, admitting the turnovers were something they needed to control better. Despite this setback, the Valkyries remain a defensively tenacious squad that earned the league’s second seed throughout the regular season behind the performances of key players such as Gabby Williams.

With the series tied, attention now turns to Game 3 on Wednesday as the Dream return home to Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. The venue change from the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena to the Hawks’ larger 17,000-seat arena aims to accommodate the increased demand for tickets. The Valkyries have drawn sellout crowds of over 18,000 at San Francisco’s Chase Center during their inaugural season.

Atlanta’s Jordin Canada highlighted the importance of feeding Reese the ball when she is assertive, noting the energy she brings to the team and the need to create space for her to operate effectively.

Both teams remain in pursuit of their franchise’s first WNBA championship, but Reese sees this victory as a foundational moment for the Dream. “It’s just the next step of who Atlanta is and who Atlanta is going to continue to be for the next couple years,” she said, signaling the team’s belief in long-term success built on resilience and unity.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.