Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) reacts after scoring during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
By Barbara Mason
Wednesday the Golden State Valkyries took on the Atlanta Dream in game three of the WNBA finals only to be defeated 97-71. The Dream now take a 2-1 series lead at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. The Valkyries had to deal with a sold out energetic loud arena. This was the Dream’s first home game in the finals in 13 years and fans were more than ready to support their team.
The opening quarter was a close one with the Dream taking the lead after the first ten minutes of play 23-15. Golden State outscored the Dream in the second quarter 25-23 however Atlanta continued to lead 46-40 going into the half.
Golden State was able to tie up the game early in the third quarter 48 points apiece but the Dream came roaring back taking a 64-55 lead with under three minutes left. When it was all looking so good for the Valkyries, the Dream turned this game completely around taking a 71-57 leading going into the final quarter. Atlanta continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter leading 77-60 after only three minutes of play in the final quarter.
GAME RECAP
The Valkyries took the court in the first quarter expecting a riotous crowd and that’s just what they got . The sold out arena was rocking from the start as the Dream were looking to take the lead in the series. The Valkyries did not lead once in the first quarter. The Dream took the lead for most of the opening quarter and going into the second quarter Golden State was trailing 23-15.
Golden State began to amp up in the second quarter. The Dream did take as much as a twelve point lead in the first half but the Valkyries fought back cutting the lead and getting as close as four points but the Dream punched back every time the Valkyries threatened. When the second quarter came to an end the Dream had a 46-40 lead.
Golden State came into the third quarter with a different mindset tying up this game at 48 points apiece two minutes into the second half. Just when Golden State had momentum on their side, the Dream came roaring back taking a 59-53 lead with under four minutes left in the third.
Atlanta refused to back down in this game pushing back every time the Valkyries threatened. The Dream were shooting at 50%, the Valkyries 39% and turnovers were hurting Golden State committing 14 while the Dream had nine. Golden State conceded 20 points on their turnovers through three quarters. As the clock ran out on the third quarter the Dream had a 71-57 lead.
The Dream had taken over the game heading into the fourth quarter and Golden State needed to reverse the momentum in this game. The Dream had continued to get stronger offensively and defensively with each quarter especially the third quarter.
They took a lot of confidence going into the fourth quarter and it would be up to the Valkyries to disrupt their momentum. Atlanta continued to push their lead in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter leading 80-65. Golden State was in a lot of trouble. Their turnovers continued to mount and they began to take low percentage shots. The final was 97-71 and it had been a dream game for Atlanta. They now lead the series 2-1.
GAME RECAP
Janele Salaun had the first half high points with 11 shooting four for five from the field including three 3-pointers. In this game she was a major offensive spark off the bench. Tiffany Hayes also brought a lot of scoring energy adding ten points on five for eight shooting giving the Valkyries another offensive option. Going into the second half of the game, the Valkyries needed to slow down Angle Reese but they just weren’t able to succeed on that score.
Angel Reese was on a roll and there wasn’t much Golden State could do about it. She had a double-double again in game three, her third of the series. She finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. She was a force in this game as she was in game two. The high for the Valkyries was Gabby Williams with 15 points and Veronica Burton was really shut-down scoring only three points.
So breaking down this game what went so wrong for the Valkyries. Again the turnovers continued to plague Golden State finishing with 17. Atlanta again had the ability to force turnovers as in game two and they sure made Golden State paid for them.
The bottom line is that Angel Reese controlled the paint. Besides Reese, Rhyne Howard scored 16 points and Naz Hillmon finished with 15.
Golden State just could not sustain its offense or defense. The Valkyries did have stretches when they stayed close but they just couldn’t stop the Atlanta scoring onslaught and the runs that the Dream continued to go on throughout the game. Their defensive struggles and inconsistent offense allowed the margin to grow and grow.
The Valkyries were competitive for parts of the game, but Atlanta was more physical inside, they got contributions from several players, and were much better at turning momentum into a large lead. The third quarter was the turning point and there was no stopping the Dream in game three.
Game four will not get underway until this coming Saturday October 24 with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 AM and can be viewed on NBC. The Valkyries will be looking to tie up the series in this game.
