ATLANTA (AP) — Gabby Williams scored 17 points and Golden State played stellar defense to beat the Atlanta Dream 67-62 on Saturday and even the WNBA Finals at 2-2.
The best-of-seven series moves back to California on Monday for Game 5.
The Valkyries stymied Atlanta star Angel Reese, holding her to just eight points. She had dominated the previous two games, averaging 25.5 points and 14 rebounds in the Dream victories. Reese struggled in Game 4, missing
10 of her 12 shots, including a few layups in the fourth quarter, after having double-doubles in each of the first three games.
Atlanta trimmed a 16-point halftime deficit to 61-55 midway through the fourth quarter, bringing fans in the sellout crowd of over 17,000 to their feet. Golden State answered with a 3-pointer by Veronica Burton to briefly silence them.
The Dream then scored seven of the next nine points, including a three-point play by Rhyne Howard with 28 seconds left to get within 66-62.
Burton then made the first of two free throws a second later and Atlanta couldn’t convert on the other end.
Howard finished with 19 points to lead Atlanta.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back for updates. AP’s earlier story follows below.
The Golden State Valkyries are still confident.
Trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals against Atlanta, they know a win on Saturday will give them back home-court advantage with a trip to “Ballhalla” awaiting.
“It would be silly to overreact right now,” Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said. “We continue to point out the things where we lack discipline and where we lack maybe paying attention to their personnel. We address that and not overreact but also understand that there is a major sense of urgency, and we can’t necessarily wait for anything to change.”
Still, the Valkyries can ill afford to lose Game 4 after getting routed in Game 3. While it's only the second year that the WNBA has played a best-of-seven championship series, history in the NBA isn't on the side of teams trailing 3-1. Only the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers were able to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.
For the Valkyries to have any chance, they'll need to find a way to contain Angel Reese.
Reese, who was traded to Atlanta from Chicago in the offseason, has made the most of her first postseason appearance since coming into the league three years ago. She became only the second player in finals history with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive games, joining A’ja Wilson.
At 24 years old, she also became the youngest with three straight double-doubles in the finals.
Reese has a really talented group around her in Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, who has been dealing with a hand injury suffered in the semifinals.
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