Atlanta Dream take 2-1 lead in 2026 WNBA Finals with dominant Game 3 win
The Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 95-71 in Game 3 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, moving ahead 2-1 in the series as Angel Reese recorded her third straight double-double.
Atlanta, Ga. – The Atlanta Dream expanded their series lead to 2-1 on Wednesday after a 95-71 victory over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena.
Dream forward Angel Reese posted 21 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, becoming the first player in Finals history to record three consecutive double-doubles.
"Time to take over. Do whatever it takes to win," Reese said after the game. "Everyone was just playing together. It's fun when you win and you play with a great group. It makes my job super easy."
Rhyne Howard added 16 points, five steals and four rebounds, matching her record of five or more steals in back-to-back Finals games.
Howard noted, "Even this game wasn't up to my liking, but I got to have an impact on that side of the floor."
The Dream’s defense limited the Valkyries to 35% shooting and forced 17 turnovers, converting 22 points off the takeaways. Atlanta outscored Golden State 44-20 in the paint.
For Golden State, leading scorer Gabby Williams managed 15 points on 5-of-18 shooting and eight assists, while the starting lineup combined for 33 points, well below their season averages.
Williams said, "Sometimes shots don't fall. We have to get back to our defense and that will get our offense going."
Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes acknowledged the team's ball-security issues, saying the squad needed to stay disciplined and avoid turnovers.
"We have to get back to who we are and not get flustered," Hayes said.
The win marked the Dream’s first Finals victory in franchise history since joining the league in 2008, and the team now needs two more wins to capture its inaugural championship.