Atlanta, Ga. – In front of a roaring home crowd at State Farm Arena, Angel Reese proved why she is the Dream’s cornerstone. The 24‑year‑old posted a 30‑point, 16‑rebound effort in Game 2, giving Atlanta a 79‑65 victory and leveling the best‑of‑seven WNBA Finals series at one game apiece.
Reese’s historic night
Reese became the youngest player ever to record a 30‑point, 15‑rebound game in a playoff setting and joined an elite group of only six athletes to achieve that feat on the Finals stage. Her relentless energy on both ends of the floor set the tone for the Dream, who had struggled in their first Finals appearance, going 0‑10 in previous trips.
Coach Smesko praises intensity
Head coach Karl Smesko, in his second year with the franchise, praised Reese’s focus from the moment she stepped into the locker room. “She started off aggressive and we gave her a few extra breaks to keep that intensity going,” Smesko said, noting the superstar’s impact on both offense and defense.
Team effort and defensive dominance
Reese’s performance was complemented by a record‑setting defensive display from teammate Rhyne Howard, who logged six steals – a WNBA Finals single‑game record. The Dream forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 24 points, while the Valkyries struggled to find rhythm.
Guard Jordin Canada highlighted Reese’s leadership, saying, “When she’s in that mode, we give her the ball and the space she needs to attack.” Canada contributed a solid 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Looking ahead to Games 3 and 4
The series shifts back to Atlanta, with Games 3 and 4 moved to the larger State Farm Arena to accommodate the growing fan base. The venue, which can seat roughly 17,000, contrasts with the Dream’s regular 3,500‑seat Gateway Center Arena, underscoring the city’s enthusiasm for the team’s championship run.
Reese remains confident, stating, “It’s just the start. We’ve stuck together all year, we have the city behind us, and we’re ready to take the next step for Atlanta.”
The Dream will aim to build on this momentum, hoping to capture the franchise’s first championship while reinforcing the pride and unity of Atlanta’s basketball community.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
