Angel Reese scores 30 points and grabs 16 rebounds as the Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 79-65 in the WNBA Finals.
Angel Reese delivered a historic performance on Wednesday by scoring 30 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, leading the Atlanta Dream to their first-ever WNBA Finals victory with a 79-65 win against the Golden State Valkyries.
The victory tied the best-of-seven championship series at 1-1 as the action shifts to Atlanta for the upcoming games, according to information published by Basquete.
Reese showcased her dominant skills on the court, helping her franchise bounce back from a Game 1 loss and securing a milestone moment in her first season with the team following a trade from the Chicago Sky.
Dominant Third And Fourth Quarters Seal The Victory
The Atlanta Dream entered halftime with a narrow 39-37 lead before completely taking command during a decisive 13-minute stretch spanning the third and fourth quarters, where they outscored their opponents 30-8.
During this crucial run, Angel Reese contributed nine points, anchoring the offensive surge that left the Golden State Valkyries struggling to find defensive answers on the court.
Historic Statistical Milestone For Young Star
With this standout performance, Angel Reese became only the third player in history to record 30 points and 15 rebounds in a WNBA Finals series, joining elite company like Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart.
At just 24 years old, she also earned the distinction of being the youngest player to ever reach that specific statistical milestone in a WNBA postseason game.
Redemption And Purpose In Game Two
Teammate Allisha Gray noted that Angel Reese played with a very clear purpose throughout Game 2, driving the energy for the entire roster on the floor.
The league defensive player of the year stated that she was strongly determined to respond after feeling she did not contribute enough during the second half of Atlanta's narrow 68-64 loss in Game 1.
Breaking A Long Finals Losing Streak
Prior to this milestone victory, the Atlanta Dream held an unfortunate 0-10 record in WNBA Finals games, having suffered series sweeps back in 2010, 2011, and 2013.
The championship series now shifts location to Atlanta, where the team will host Game 3 on Thursday, October 22, followed by Game 4 on Saturday, October 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points did Angel Reese score in the WNBA Finals win?
Angel Reese scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Atlanta Dream to a 79-65 victory over the Golden State Valkyries.
What historic milestone did Angel Reese achieve in the game?
At 24 years old, Reese became the youngest player to record 30 points and 15 rebounds in a WNBA postseason game.
When are the next games in the WNBA Finals series?
Game 3 takes place in Atlanta on Thursday, October 22, and Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday, October 24.
