Taking stock of the WNBA Finals storylines after Game 2

The GIST: The best-of-seven WNBA Finals is knotted at one after the Atlanta Dream topped the Golden State Valkyries 79–65 in Monday’s Game 2, the franchise’s first-ever Finals win. Let’s take stock of the top storylines as the series shifts to Atlanta for tonight’s 8 p.m. ET Game 3.

🪣 Angel Reese is that girl for the Dream: Always a defensive juggernaut, this Barbie has elevated her offense since arriving in the W, becoming more efficient (she shot 62.5% in Game 2) and adding a three-point shot to her repertoire. At age 24, she’s the youngest player in league history to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game. What, like it’s hard?

• Reese was unequivocally the difference maker in Game 2, outproducing Valkyries standout Gabby Williams. It was an uncharacteristic off night for Williams, who posted a dismal 20% shooting percentage from the floor. Defense wins championships — but so do superstars.

📋 Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase’s Game 3 outlook: Nakase’s brilliant halftime adjustments silenced Reese in the second half of Game 1, so what’s up her sleeve ahead of Game 3? TBD — but she pointed to two key improvements Golden State must make: limiting turnovers (the Valks had a season-high 18 in Game 2) and effort.

🏠 Dream steal home-court advantage: Ballhalla had been a haven for the Valkyries…until Game 2, where Golden State lost at Chase Center for the first time this postseason. Now, the edge goes to Atlanta, who host the next two tilts at State Farm Arena. Not only does the venue house a Finals-worthy 17K fans, the Dream are also a perfect 3-0 there in the 2026 playoffs.