Angel Reese Lifts Dream to 97-71 Game 3 Win for 2-1 WNBA 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 · Fox News · Oct 22

Angel Reese posted 21 points and 12 rebounds as Atlanta routed Golden State 97-71 on Wednesday, giving the Dream their first-ever lead in a WNBA Finals series at 2-1.
Reese set the tone early and steadied Atlanta after Golden State briefly tied the game in the third, helping spark an 8-0 response that restored control before the Dream closed the quarter on a 12-2 run.
Naz Hillmon added 15 points with three first-half 3-pointers, Rhyne Howard scored 16, and Jordin Canada had 8 assists, while Atlanta again limited Gabby Williams to 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting.
Reese has totaled 51 points and 28 rebounds in Atlanta's two wins, becoming the youngest player to post 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive WNBA Finals games.
A sellout crowd at State Farm Arena watched both teams leave the floor during the national anthem for a third straight game; Atlanta, winless in its first three Finals appearances before this series, can move within one win of the title in Saturday's Game 4.