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WNBA Finals winners and losers include Angel Reese's tenacity, Valkyries' starters

The Atlanta Dream turned the tide in the WNBA Finals with a commanding 79-65 win over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2, securing their first-ever Finals victory in franchise history. Angel Reese delivered a dominant performance, posting a 30-point, 16-rebound double-double—her highest playoff scoring output and just one point shy of her career high.

Reese’s aggressive play, including 10-of-16 shooting and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line, helped Atlanta overcome a shaky first-half effort in Game 1, where she went scoreless in the second half. The Dream’s fast-break transition game proved decisive, outscoring Golden State 19-0 in fast-break points, while Rhyne Howard set a new Finals record with six steals.

Despite Golden State’s strong defensive effort, the Valkyries struggled with a 34% field-goal percentage and never led by more than six points. The series now shifts to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4, with Reese vowing to maintain the momentum after her Game 1 disappointment.

Reese’s leadership and physical dominance were the cornerstones of Atlanta’s turnaround, as she embraced the challenge after admitting she ‘let her team down’ in Game 1. Her 30 points tied her for the most in a Finals game by a player under 23, joining elite company with Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.

Allisha Gray and Jordin Canada also contributed key performances, while Reese’s teammates rallied around her after the Dream’s semifinal sweep of the New York Liberty. The Valkyries, led by Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes, will look to regroup as Atlanta heads home with a series advantage for the first time in the Finals.

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