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Dream Even Finals with Valkyries in Game 2

1:19 AM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: The Atlanta Dream evened the WNBA Finals at one game apiece with a 79-65 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Monday night.

Angel Reese led the Dream with 30 points and 16 rebounds, becoming the youngest player in WNBA history to achieve at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in a Finals game.

Rhyne Howard set a Finals record with six steals, while Jordin Canada contributed 13 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.

The Dream took control in the second half, outscoring the Valkyries 24-11 and capitalizing on 19 turnovers to secure their first Finals victory.

Reese said, 'This environment is tough to play in. Shoutout to the fans. Shoutout to my team, though.'

The Valkyries, who had not lost in regulation since August, struggled defensively and offensively in the second half.

Golden State guard Gabby Williams acknowledged, 'Our defense was atrocious tonight,' and vowed to review the game's performance.

The Dream will now head home for the next two games, having salvaged a split in front of the boisterous 'Ballhalla' crowd at Chase Center.

The Valkyries' coach Natalie Nakase emphasized the importance of their 'strength in numbers' strategy, which was evident in their first-round victory over the Dallas Wings.

Both teams are seeking their first WNBA championship, with the Dream aiming to end their long wait for a title after losing in the Finals three times in four years from 2010-13.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Rhyne Howard set a Finals record with six steals, while Jordin Canada contributed 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Dream earned the franchise’s first Finals victory after going winless in three previous trips.
• It holds more than 17,000, as opposed to the Dream’s regular home, Gateway Center Arena, which accommodates only 3,500.
• Reese became the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Jonquel Jones of Connecticut in 2019 and Breanna Stewart of Seattle in 2020.
• Chase Center holds 18,064 and has sold out every game since the Valkyries began playing last year.
• SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Angel Reese had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Allisha Gray added 18 points and the Atlanta Dream stymied Golden State on both ends in the second half, beating the Valkyries 79-65 on Monday night to even the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at one game apiece.
• Atlanta scored 24 points off Golden State’s 19 turnovers to hand the Valkyries their first loss in regulation since a 73-70 defeat at Chicago on Aug.

What's still developing

• Allisha Gray added 18 points as the Dream took full control at both ends in the second half, winning 79-65 on Monday night to even the best-of-seven series before it heads to Atlanta.
• Foul trouble almost did in the Dream this time — but Reese simply wouldn’t have it.
• The WNBA Finals begin Saturday night when Angel Reese leads the Atlanta Dream into Ballhalla to take on the Golden State Valkyries in a matchup that few experts saw coming before the season.
• The Valkyries have been described as “starless” but that just reveals a lack of ball knowledge.
• The Valkyries beat the Dallas Wings on Friday night in a comeback thriller that sends Golden State on to the second round of the playoffs.
• They were up seven at halftime, up 16 midway through the third.
• He was celebrating his team's 68-64 comeback win over the Atlanta Dream.
• The Valkyries have "strength in numbers," coach Natalie Nakase said, echoing the mantra that Steve Kerr made famous during the Golden State Warriors' run to the 2015 NBA championship. (Kerr was in attendance Saturday, along with a number of Warriors players.) The Valkyries' "first five" is just that.
• The Valkyries and their fans never gave the Dream any room to get comfortable.
• Valkyries fans rocked “Ballhalla” as their team knocked off the defending champs in game one of the semifinals 71-60.
• The Valkyries will be back at "Ballhalla" for the opening games of the semifinals as they welcome in four-time MVP A'ja Wilson and the Aces.
• “[We] just try to make things as difficult as possible," Stokes said about defending Angel Reese.

Sources

• Al Jazeeralink
• Atlanta News Firstlink
• Bozeman Daily Chroniclelink
• NBC Newslink
• The Mercury Newslink
• Complexlink
• Missionlocallink
• CBS Sportslink
• Ajclink
• Nbcbayarealink
• Valkyrieslink
• Bleacherreportlink
• Ocregisterlink
• WarpBeat — background on WNBA Finals Tip Off with Dream's Reese and Valkyries' Williams Leading the Charge link
• WarpBeat — background on WNBA Finals: Dream's Angel Reese and Valkyries' Gabby Williams Lead the Charge link
• CHAMPSIDE — video link