WNBA Finals 2026: Angel Reese and the Dream Rout the Valkyries to Take a 2-1 Lead

The Atlanta Dream are now just two wins from a championship. Atlanta crushed the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, taking a 2-1 series lead behind another dominant night from Angel Reese.

Game 3: A Statement Win

Atlanta controlled the game from the start. Angel Reese posted yet another double-double, overpowering Golden State on the glass and setting the tone with her energy. The 26-point margin was the most lopsided result of the series so far.

Angel Reese's Transformed Game

The most interesting Reese stat of the playoffs might be this one: the Dream are undefeated when she makes a 3-pointer. Opponents used to dare her to shoot from outside. She rebuilt her jumper "from scratch," and that improvement has helped push Atlanta to the edge of a championship.

Valkyries Facing a Must-Win

For Golden State, Game 4 already feels like a must-win. The Valkyries say they are not panicking, but they know the stakes. Their biggest problem is offense: they need to find answers against Atlanta's physical defense and slow down Reese. Veronica Burton has been their star, and she will need help.

Injury Watch: Allisha Gray

Dream guard Allisha Gray is dealing with a left hand injury. "I'm feeling fine, but I am not 100%," she said. Her health is worth watching as Atlanta tries to close out the series.

Off-Court Headlines

• Enes Kanter Freedom said he was denied entry to Game 3 after refusing a private suite that the Dream and State Farm Arena arranged in response to his safety concerns.
• Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who is retiring, reflected on the league's growth and said the job requires "thick skin."
• Fever president Kelly Krauskopf stepped down after her second stint with the team.
• Celebrities including Kerry Washington and Ludacris have been spotted courtside during the Finals.

A Milestone Season

All of this caps the WNBA's 30th season, a year of record attention for the league. ESPN marked the moment by ranking the 30 greatest players in league history, with a new name at No. 1.

What's Next

Atlanta can move within one win of the title with a Game 4 victory, while Golden State needs to win to even the series. Follow the Finals to the end in our WNBA coverage, and check out the start of the NBA season.

Related reading: the NWSL's 'Rodman rule' change and unbeaten Nebraska volleyball.