Dream Take Command of WNBA Finals with 97-71 Victory Over Valkyries in Game 3

 

ATLANTA (Oct. 21, 2026) — The Atlanta Dream returned home Wednesday night and delivered a statement performance, defeating the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 at State Farm Arena to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals.

Behind another double-double from Angel Reese, relentless defensive pressure from Rhyne Howard and contributions throughout the lineup, Atlanta secured its second consecutive victory and moved within two wins of its first WNBA championship.

The Dream’s 97 points established a franchise record for scoring in a Finals game, while their 26-point victory reflected a team gaining confidence and momentum at the right time.

After splitting the opening two games in San Francisco, Atlanta capitalized on its return home, shooting 49.3 percent from the field and using its defensive intensity to keep Golden State from finding a consistent offensive rhythm.

Reese continued her impressive championship-series debut, finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

The 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year became the youngest player in league history to record at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive Finals games. She also became the youngest player to register three straight double-doubles in the championship series.

Following her 30-point, 16-rebound performance in Game 2, Reese once again provided Atlanta with a dependable presence around the basket, creating scoring opportunities while controlling the boards.

Howard delivered another outstanding defensive performance, recording 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, five steals and one block.

After collecting a Finals-record six steals in Game 2, Howard became the first player in WNBA Finals history to record at least five steals in consecutive games.

Her ability to disrupt passing lanes and generate turnovers continued to create problems for Golden State.

Howard also reached another franchise milestone. With her 11th point of the evening, she moved into third place on Atlanta’s all-time postseason scoring list.

While Reese and Howard commanded attention, the Dream benefited from balanced production across the rotation.

Naz Hillmon contributed 15 points and two rebounds, providing valuable offensive support and helping Atlanta maintain its scoring momentum.

Rookie Isobel Borlase added 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block, continuing to establish herself as an important contributor during the postseason.

Borlase also climbed Atlanta’s rookie playoff rankings, moving into third place in assists, tying for first in points and taking the top spot in rebounds among Dream rookies.

Jordin Canada finished with 10 points, six rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block, directing Atlanta’s offense while contributing defensively.

With her fifth assist, Canada became the franchise’s all-time postseason assists leader, reflecting her ability to create opportunities and control the pace.

Allisha Gray added eight points, two rebounds and six assists, while veteran DeWanna Bonner contributed seven points and four rebounds.

Atlanta’s offensive efficiency represented a significant improvement from the opening two games, when both teams struggled to convert shots consistently.

This time, the Dream combined better shooting with the defensive pressure that has defined their playoff run.

Atlanta forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 22 points, repeatedly turning Golden State’s mistakes into scoring opportunities.

The Dream were particularly effective after halftime, outscoring the Valkyries 51-31 in the second half to pull away.

However, Reese acknowledged that Atlanta’s second-half performance wasn’t perfect from the opening possession.

“We didn’t start great in the third quarter, at all, but we definitely finished it well,” Reese said.

The strong finish demonstrated Atlanta’s ability to maintain its intensity while continuing to find scoring opportunities from multiple players.

Head coach Karl Smesko’s starting lineup of Canada, Gray, Howard, Hillmon and Reese improved to 5-1 together this postseason, highlighting the chemistry that has helped the Dream reach the championship stage.

Wednesday’s victory also improved Atlanta’s postseason record against Golden State to 2-1, including its first home win in the matchup.

After dropping Game 1 by four points, the Dream have responded with consecutive double-digit victories, shifting the pressure onto a Valkyries team now facing the possibility of falling behind 3-1.

More importantly, Atlanta has demonstrated that its success isn’t dependent on one player. Reese’s interior production, Howard’s defensive presence, Canada’s playmaking and contributions from the supporting cast have given the Dream multiple ways to win.

Despite the convincing victory, Smesko emphasized that his team still has work to do before it can celebrate anything beyond another postseason win.

“We’re only halfway home,” Smesko said. “We have two wins. We need two more.”

His message reflects the importance of maintaining focus as the Dream prepare for another matchup against a Golden State team looking to regain momentum.

With the series lead and home-court advantage, the Dream have an opportunity to move one victory away from the championship. Atlanta has seized the momentum, but the challenge now is turning that advantage into another win.

Next up: Atlanta will host the Golden State Valkyries in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 24, at 1 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena.