Reese powers Dream past Valkyries to level WNBA Finals at 1-1

Angel Reese scored 30 points and collected 16 rebounds as the Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 79-65 in San Francisco on Monday, tying the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at 1-1. Field Level Media reported that the 24-year-old became the youngest player to reach 30 points and 15 rebounds in a WNBA postseason game.

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Atlanta led 39-37 at halftime despite foul trouble, then pulled away during a decisive second-half stretch. According to Field Level Media, Veronica Burton briefly put Golden State ahead with a three-pointer before the Dream answered with a 30-8 run. Reese contributed nine points during that surge, which pushed Atlanta's advantage to 69-48 and broke open a close contest.

The Dream also received 18 points from Allisha Gray and a double-double from Jordin Canada, who finished with 13 points and 10 assists. Rhyne Howard recorded six steals, a Finals record, Field Level Media reported. Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes each scored 14 for Golden State, while Burton added 11 as the hosts struggled to keep pace.

The San Francisco Standard reported that Atlanta made 30 of its 35 free throws and turned 19 Golden State turnovers into 24 points. Those opportunities helped the visitors take control even after going without a field goal for the opening five minutes of the second half. Canada's long three-pointer at the buzzer capped a third quarter Atlanta won 21-9.

Golden State's shooting problems compounded the damage. The Standard reported that the Valkyries made seven of 24 three-point attempts and finished with a season-low 21 field goals. Their reserves had outscored Atlanta's bench 18-5 before halftime, but that early contribution was not enough to offset the Dream's second-half improvement. Atlanta scored 40 points after the break.

The series now moves to Atlanta for Game 3 on Wednesday at State Farm Arena. According to The Standard, the scheduling arrangements avoided using the Dream's smaller Gateway Center Arena. Monday's defeat ended Golden State's five-game winning streak at home in this postseason and ensured the series will return to San Francisco for a fifth game.