Angel Reese Puts Up 30-Piece In WNBA Finals Game 2 Win For The Dream

Angel Reese proved to be the difference-maker for the Atlanta Dream as they beat the Valkyries 79-65 in a decisive Game 2 victory. Reese poured in 30 points and 16 rebounds. The only other WNBA players to do so in a Finals game are New York Liberty stars Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, who topped out at 15 rebounds.

Reese, 24, said she would be more aggressive in this series, and she was at both ends of the floor. Her play charged up her teammates and stymied the Valkyries, who were barely effective against Reese despite being the league’s top defensive squad.

Allisha Gray poured in 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Jordin Canada added 13 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds—including a logo three at the third-quarter buzzer. Though Rhyne Howard got in foul trouble early and still struggled offensively, she set a Finals record with 6 steals.

The Valkyries struggled offensively, with Gabby Williams shooting 3-of-15 for 14 points, after a 26-point Game 1. Tiffany Hayes scored 14 off the bench, while Burton added 11 and 7 boards. That underscores how dominant the Dream was on defense, closing the third quarter on a 15-2 run, holding Golden State to just 9 points in the quarter. But the game’s most significant stat line: Atlanta scored 24 points off 19 Valkyries turnovers.

“What’s (the Dream’s) identity? Defense,” Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase told media post-game. “We’re a defensive-minded team. So we hang our hats on the defensive end. They played harder (tonight), and they were in the gaps better.”

She added, “I need to have some conversations. I need to listen within the next 48 hours to see how did I not deliver my message about our game plan, our fight, our physicality. … Unfortunate and definitely going to ask questions.”

But Reese proved to be the deciding factor, making sure her team was never far out of it in Game 2.

“She was like, ‘I need the ball! I need the ball!’… She set the tone, for sure,” Canada said in the post-game interview.

Teammate Gray agreed. When asked what made the difference in the third quarter, she said, “Angel Reese!” then added, “She just came out on a mission tonight. I mean, she was very aggressive. I remember last game she was saying she needed to be more aggressive and more adamant about going to the ball, and she did exactly what we needed of her.”

Reese said she was determined to come out hot to make up for what she said was atypically low energy in the last game. She was shown saying, “Give me the f—-ball,” and in a verbal confrontation, responded to some words from Golden State center Aminata Gueye after Gueye fouled her in the first quarter.

Gueye called Reese a “flopper” and said, “Shut the f— up.” While at the free-throw line, she snarled, “You can’t f—- with me, bum a–,” made the shots, and then proceeded to block Gueye’s shot at the other end of the floor.

That exchange ended Gueye’s night, which finished with 0s across the board.

“I’m just doing what it takes to win,” Reese said after the game. “This environment is tough to play in; shout-out to the fans. Shout out to my team, though. We came and fought. That game one was tough for us, but we moved on, turned the page, and got back to who we are.”

After the game, Reese celebrated with rapper Latto, who made the trip to see her play. Also at the game: WNBA champ Sheryl Swoopes, NBA champ Steph Curry and Bay Area rapper Too Short.

Game 3 will be played Wednesday night at the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena in Atlanta, which is expected to be sold out, after mountains were moved to get the team there. The Dream’s regular home, Gateway Arena, only holds 3,500. Next year, the Dream will move its 25 home games there permanently.

“Atlanta, y’all better pull up and pop out,” Reese said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Game 3 from Atlanta will air on NBC/Peacock and USA/CNBC at 8 p.m. Watch The Speakeasy debate Reese’s breakthrough performance below.