ATLANTA — The Atlanta Dream did what they set out to do. The team is heading back to Atlanta with a win under their belt after stealing Game 2 from the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco to even the WNBA Finals.
"We came out with a mission. That was to at least go home with one win," said Dream guard Allisha Gray, who finished with 18 points Monday in her second game back from a minor procedure on her left hand. "We played Atlanta Dream basketball... We played well. But like I said, I still feel like there's more in the tank for us to give."
After letting Game 1 "slip away," forward Angel Reese powered the Dream to a 79-65 Game 2 win behind a playoff-high 30-point, 16-rebound double-double in front of a hostile environment at "Ballhalla."
With the performance, Reese became the youngest player to record 30 points and 16 rebounds in a WNBA Finals game.
The best-of-seven series now shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 21, which will be held at State Farm Arena (17,000 seats), an upgrade from the Dream's home venue, Gateway Center Arena (3,500 seats).
"We going to carry that (momentum) over in Atlanta," Reese said. "Atlanta, y'all better pull up and pop out."
The Valkyries were led by Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes, who both had 14 points in Game 2. Veronica Burton added 11 points. Golden State shot 34% from the field and never led by more than six points at any point. Atlanta racked up 14 steals and forced 18 Golden State turnovers in Game 2.
USA TODAY Sports is on the ground in Atlanta, providing live updates and highlights from Game 3. Here's everything you need to know:
Atlanta Dream roster
06:21 PM ET, October 21 2026, Cydney HendersonDream get up shots before Game 3 vs. Valkyries
02:35 PM ET, October 21 2026, Meghan L. HallThe Atlanta Dream held a shootaround before Game 3 versus the Golden State Valkyries. Here's a short clip from Wednesday's festivities.
📍ATLANTA.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) October 21, 2026
Game 3 shootaround for Dream. pic.twitter.com/tCOvNoPOb4
Dream's Naz Hillmon talks matching Angel Reese's energy
02:26 PM ET, October 21 2026, Meghan L. HallOn Wednesday, Dream forward Naz Hillmon spoke with the media about how Atlanta has taken on the task of matching Angel Reese's energy.
"Yeah. It's really hard to match Angel's energy, but we just try to do our part, beat it into it it, whether that's taking a chest bump. You know everybody talks about that, but just doing the little things to get into it. She brings a ton of energy. Like it's very infectious," Hillmon said Wednesday before Game 3.
"She brings her teammates with her, as (everyone) can see. So just continuing to bear into it and go along with what she's got going on."
Dream's Angel Reese on bringing energy in WNBA Finals
02:21 PM ET, October 21 2026, Meghan L. HallIn Game 1 of the series, Dream star Angel Reese felt like she didn't bring enough energy and wasn't "aggressive" enough following Atlanta's 68-64 loss to Golden State. When Game 2 arrived, Reese's energy on the floor was noticeable early. T
he Dream All-Star finished with 30 points on 62.5% shooting and 16 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in a 79-65 win. On Wednesday ahead of Game 3, Reese spoke to the media about how she challenged herself.
“Going into Game 2, I kind of wanted to set myself apart, going into the game where I wanted to win before anybody else could think about it. And it's like a mental game for me. Trying to set my energy higher than anybody can even reach (my) touch," Reese said.
"And my teammates know this, and I get crazy in a good way sometimes, and just trying to be contagious as much as I can and bringing every single night.”
ANGEL REESE MADE HISTORY IN GAME 2 🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 20, 2026
She led the @AtlantaDream to their FIRST-EVER Finals win with a monster performance, dropping 30 PTS, 16 REB, 3 AST & 2 BLKS on 10-16 shooting! #WNBASeason30 | #2026WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/YueB9Z7M1j
2026 WNBA Finals schedule
06:01 AM ET, October 21 2026, Cydney Henderson- Game 1: Golden State 68, Atlanta 64 | Recap, Winners and losers
- Game 2: Atlanta 79, Golden State 65 | Recap, Winners and losers
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, Game 3: Golden State at Atlanta | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- Saturday, Oct. 24, Game 4: Golden State at Atlanta | 1 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- Monday, Oct. 26, Game 5: Atlanta at Golden State | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- *Thursday, Oct. 29, Game 6: Golden State at Atlanta | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- *Saturday, Oct. 31, Game 7: Atlanta at Golden State | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- * If necessary
What time is Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream?
06:01 AM ET, October 21 2026, Cydney HendersonThe No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries host the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 21
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT)
- Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
WNBA Finals, Game 3: TV channel, streaming
06:01 AM ET, October 21 2026, Cydney HendersonGame 3 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream on Wednesday, Oct. 21, will be broadcast on USA and CNBC. The contest can also be streamed on Peacock.
- Channel: USA/CNBC
- Stream: Peacock
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA Finals Game 3: How to watch Golden State Valkyries vs Atlanta Dream
