Angel Reese leads Atlanta to level the WNBA Finals

Atlanta beat Golden State 79-65 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, levelling the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Angel Reese delivered 30 points and 16 rebounds, while her team scored 24 points off its opponents’ turnovers. It was Golden State’s first regulation-time loss since a 73-70 defeat at Chicago on August 21.

The Valkyries had won the opener 68-64 in San Francisco last Saturday. They edged the first quarter 21-18, but Atlanta led 39-37 at half-time. Golden State made just 23 per cent of its field-goal attempts in the first half, and the Dream extended their advantage after the break. Atlanta’s defence also kept the Valkyries in check in the second half.

Reese’s impact stood out after she had struggled late in the opening game. “For me, I think I let my team down last game, not really contributing as much as I could in the second half,” she said. Atlanta coach Karl Smesko and Reese’s teammates had noticed her focus before the game.

Atlanta scored only eight points off turnovers in Game 1. This time, the 24 points it got from Golden State’s 19 turnovers helped shape the result. Reese said her contribution went beyond scoring: “I just wanted to make sure I came out tonight and left my mark and did whatever I could to get the win.” She also described the result as “just the next step of who Atlanta is.”

Gabby Williams finished with 14 points for Golden State, making three of 15 shots. Last Saturday, she had been the only Valkyries player to score more than 10 points, with 26. Veronica Burton summed up her team’s shooting: “We shot terribly,” she said, adding that they had missed shots they usually make. Teammate Kiah Stokes said Reese was “definitely way more aggressive” and had played “a great game.”

The series continues in Atlanta next Wednesday. Reese said her team would carry the performance into the next game and invited local supporters to turn out.