Dream 97, Valkyries 71: Atlanta finds its separation inside the arc

Atlanta took control of the WNBA Finals with a 97-71 win over Golden State at State Farm Arena on Wednesday. Angel Reese finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and the Dream now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. They need two more wins for the championship; the Valkyries need three.

Reese made seven of 12 shots, both of her three-point attempts and all five free throws. Rhyne Howard added 16 points and five steals, Naz Hillmon scored 15, and Jordin Canada supplied 10 points and eight assists. Atlanta had production beyond its leading scorer, along with the steadier shooting night.

The gap came inside the arc

The most revealing team comparison is not simply field-goal percentage. Atlanta made 34 baskets, nine of them threes. That leaves 25 two-point baskets. Golden State made 24 baskets, including 12 threes, leaving only 12 two-point makes. The Dream therefore earned 50 points on twos to the Valkyries' 24, a 26-point advantage in that category alone.

Golden State recovered nine points through its three extra made threes. Atlanta recovered the same nine through free throws, making 20 to Golden State's 11. Add the categories and the final margin is accounted for: plus 26 on twos, minus nine on threes, plus nine at the line. That is scoring arithmetic, not proof that every shot came from the paint or that any individual whistle was correct.

The official linescore shows Atlanta ahead 46-40 at halftime. A 25-17 third quarter made it 71-57, before a 26-14 fourth quarter widened the result. Golden State was still within six after two periods. The final 26-point margin should not erase that more competitive first half.

A series lead, not a championship

Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 15 points and eight assists; Tiffany Hayes added 14. Golden State made 12 of 30 threes, a respectable 40 percent, but shot 24 of 69 overall. Atlanta took the same 69 attempts and made 34. Outside shooting alone could not cover the difference.

Our assessment: Atlanta has given Golden State a more demanding problem than matching one star. Reese led, but the Dream found enough scoring and passing around her to turn a close game into a clear win. Golden State's 12 threes are the strongest reminder that it still created offense. It now needs a response across more of the floor, with the series lead belonging to Atlanta rather than the title already decided.