ATLANTA, Ga. — The Atlanta Dream are two wins away from a WNBA title after pulling away from the Golden State Valkyries for a 97-71 win in Game 3 of the Finals at State Farm Arena on Wednesday night.
The Dream hold a 2-1 edge in the best-of-seven matchup, and the next game is also in Atlanta. Game 4 is set for Saturday, Oct. 24, at State Farm Arena, with Game 5 scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
For the second straight game, the third quarter decided it. Golden State pulled even at 49 with 7:45 left in the period before the Dream answered with an 8-0 burst and later closed the quarter on a 12-2 run to carry a 71-57 lead into the fourth. The margin reached 80-60 early in the final period, and a sellout crowd watched the lead keep growing from there.
Angel Reese led the way again with 21 points and 12 rebounds. The league’s defensive player of the year became the youngest player in WNBA history with double-doubles in three consecutive Finals games. Rhyne Howard scored 16 and became the first player ever with at least five steals in back-to-back Finals games.
Atlanta spread the scoring around, with five players in double figures. Naz Hillmon chipped in 15. Izzy Borlase finished with 12, while point guard Jordin Canada had 10 points and handed out eight assists.
The Dream defense set the tone from the opening tip. Golden State missed its first eight shots and did not score until a free throw nearly five minutes in, and Atlanta led 23-15 after one quarter and 46-40 at the half. For the night, the Valkyries shot 34.8% and committed 17 turnovers, which Atlanta turned into 22 points.
Gabby Williams scored 15 points to lead Golden State, and Kiah Stokes grabbed 11 rebounds with three blocks. Tiffany Hayes added 14 points off the bench, and the Valkyries got 38 points from their reserves overall.
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