Atlanta Dream Dominate Golden State, Take 2-1 WNBA Finals Lead.
ATLANTA, Ga. — The Atlanta Dream moved one step closer to a WNBA championship Wednesday night, defeating the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. Atlanta's aggressive defense and physical play helped secure a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven championship series. After dropping the series opener, the Dream have responded with consecutive victories, using defensive pressure, strong interior play, and forced turnovers to disrupt Golden State's offense. The Valkyries have struggled to establish an offensive rhythm throughout the Finals, averaging just 68 points per game, approximately 14 fewer than their regular-season average. Atlanta has taken advantage of those struggles by creating turnovers and converting defensive stops into scoring opportunities. Rhyne Howard has played a major role in Atlanta's defensive success, recording at least five steals in each of the past two games. Her ability to pressure opposing players and disrupt passing lanes has helped the Dream control the pace of the series. Atlanta established its defensive presence immediately in Game 3, holding Golden State without a made field goal for more than five minutes to begin the contest. The Dream continued applying pressure throughout the night, including important third-quarter blocks from Howard and Isobel Borlase that prevented Golden State from gaining momentum. The Dream's defensive intensity has also contributed to their offensive production. Atlanta has outscored Golden State by an average of 20 points across its two victories, a significant improvement from its narrow scoring margin in the opening loss. Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner emphasized the importance of defense to Atlanta's championship approach. The Dream have made defensive execution a central part of their preparation, focusing on maintaining consistency even when their offensive shots are not falling.
While Atlanta has found success through physical play and disciplined defensive execution, Golden State has struggled to maintain the defensive standards that helped the team reach the championship series. The Valkyries entered Game 3 having avoided allowing more than 90 points in regulation since late July. That streak ended Wednesday as Atlanta scored 97 points, exposing problems with Golden State's defensive rotations and communication.
Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged those issues following the loss, taking responsibility for the team's inconsistent defensive execution. The Valkyries struggled with positioning, communication, and timely rotations, allowing Atlanta to capitalize on breakdowns throughout the game. Despite the disappointing performance, Golden State remains confident that adjustments can help the team recover.
Veteran forward Kiah Stokes, a three-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces, expressed confidence in the team's ability to address its mistakes. Golden State understands that improving its execution on both ends of the floor will be essential to extending the series.
With the WNBA Finals using a best-of-seven format for the second consecutive season, the Valkyries still have an opportunity to regain control of the matchup.
Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday, when Atlanta will look to extend its series lead to 3-1. Golden State, meanwhile, will attempt to even the championship series at two games apiece before returning home. For Atlanta, maintaining its defensive intensity could be the deciding factor as the Dream continue their pursuit of a WNBA title. Golden State must find a way to handle the pressure, protect the basketball, and restore its defensive identity to prevent the series from slipping further out of reach.
