Reese Powers Dream Past Valkyries in Game 2 to Level WNBA Finals

The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night in San Francisco, handing the Valkyries their first loss of this postseason, according to KQED. Angel Reese led the way with 30 points and 16 rebounds, and the series now heads to Atlanta.

Golden State had won the opener on Oct. 17 by a score of 68-64, ending Atlanta's 10-game winning streak, Cleveland.com reported. The Dream's response in Game 2 turned on a dominant second half.

How Game 2 turned in the second half

KQED reported that the Valkyries managed only nine points in the third quarter. The Dream scored 21 in the period and carried a 14-point lead out of it. Jordin Canada closed the quarter with a buzzer-beater from across the court.

Golden State scored 19 points in the fourth quarter, and the Dream also added 19, according to KQED. The Valkyries were left chasing a team that forced 19 turnovers.

The free-throw line was another gap. Atlanta made 30 of 35 attempts, while Golden State made 16 of 19, KQED said.

Reese's double-double also set a mark. KQED reported she became the youngest player in WNBA history with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in a Finals game. In Game 1, she had 14 points and 12 rebounds, according to Cleveland.com.

After the game, Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said the team "shot terribly," according to KQED. She added that Golden State must be able to "take a punch and punch back."

What Game 1 looked like

The opener was a low-scoring game. Cleveland.com reported that the teams combined to shoot 45 of 141 from the field and 11 of 58 from 3-point range. Gabby Williams scored a game-high 26 points for Golden State and was its only player in double figures. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 19 points.

PrizePicks noted that the Dream went 4 of 25 from 3-point range in that game. Atlanta led by five points entering the fourth quarter but went 2 of 19 from the field in the period and scored eight points, Cleveland.com said.

Why it matters: the series, the schedule and the fans

The series is now level, and the next two games are in Atlanta. According to ESPN, as cited by KQED, Games 3 and 4 will be played at State Farm Arena, which seats 17,000. The Dream's usual home, the Gateway Center Arena at College Park, holds 3,500.

Fans planning to attend or watch should note the schedule changes made for the move, KQED reported:

• Game 3 was moved up from Oct. 22 to Oct. 21.
• Game 4 on Oct. 24 will tip off at 1 p.m., not 3:30 p.m.

If the series reaches Game 7, it would return to San Francisco, KQED said.

The Valkyries' home crowd has been a major part of the story. KQED reported that the team sold out every game this season and last, and that The Athletic's podcast No Offseason called the Chase Center atmosphere a significant home-court advantage. Even after the loss, fans chanted for about a minute and cheered the team off the court, according to KQED's Natalia Navarro. Some had voiced frustration with foul calls during the third quarter.

KQED also cited a Sportico report from earlier this month that the Valkyries became the first professional women's sports team to pass $100 million in annual revenue. Sportico estimated that a full Finals run could add around $30 million more.

What comes next

Game 3 is set for Oct. 21 in Atlanta, followed by Game 4 on Oct. 24. Game 2 was broadcast on USA Network and CNBC, according to Cleveland.com. Before the game, Cleveland.com listed Peacock, DIRECTV, FuboTV and SlingTV among the streaming options.

Sources: PrizePicks, Cleveland.com, KQED