The Atlanta Dream secured a 2-1 series lead in the WNBA Finals following a 97-71 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday. Angel Reese dominated the contest at a capacity State Farm Arena, recording 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Angel Reese's historic double-double and the A'ja Wilson parallel
Angel Reese's performance on Wednesday night was not just a victory for the Atlanta Dream, but a milestone for the player. By recording 21 points and 12 rebounds,Reese became the youngest player in WNBA Finals history to post at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in back-to-back games. As reported, this feat places her in an exclusive club alongside A'ja Wilson.
The impact of Angel Reese has been the deciding factor in the series so far. According to the report, Reese has accumulated 51 points and 28 rebounds across the two games the Atlanta Dream have won. Her ability to control the glass and score efficiently has left the Golden State Valkyries searching for a defensive answer.
From 3,500 to 17,000 seats at State Farm Arena
The decision to move Game 3 from the Gateway Center Arena to State Farm Arena highlighted the massive growth of the WNBA's audience. While the Gateway Center Arena only accommodates 3,500 spectators, State Farm Arena holds over 17,000, and Wednesday's game was a complete sell-out.. This shift in venue was coordinated between the leaguue and the Atlanta Hawks to maximize the championship's visibility.
This surge in live attendance is mirrored by record-breaking teleevision numbers. the series opener on NBC drew an average of 2.1 million viewers—the highest ever for a first game of the Finals—while Game 2 on USA Network averaged 1.33 million viewers. The presence of celebrities like Ludacris at State Farm Arena underscores the event's transition from a niche sporting contest to a major cultural moment.
The 63-35 third-quarter dominance
The Atlanta Dream have effectively won this series in the third quarter, outscoring the Golden State Valkyries 63-35 across the first three games. In Game 3, the Atlanta Dream utilized an 8-0 run in the third period to reclaim a lead after the Golden State Valkyries had briefly tied the game at 49.
Supporting Angel Reese were Naz Hillmon, who finished with 15 points, and Rhyne Howard, who contributed a series-high 16 points. The Golden State Valkyries struggled to maintain momentum, despite 15 points from Gabby Williams and 14 from Tiffany Hayes, as the Atlanta Dream closed the third quarter by scoring 12 of the final 14 points.
The silent protest and the WNBA's unanswered questions
Beyond the scoreboard, a recurring political tension has defined the series. for the third consecutive WNBA Finals game,players from both the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries exited the court immediately before the national anthem, returning only after it concluded. this action directly contrasts with the WNBA rulebook, which mandates that players, coaches, and trainers stand and line up during the anthem.
There remains a significant lack of clarity regarding the league's stance on these protests. The report notes that the WNBA has not responded to inquiries from OutKick regarding the absences. It is still unknown whether the league intends to discipline the Atlanta Dream or the Golden State Valkyries, or if this coordinated silence is being tacitly permitted by the front office.
Comments 0