Fastrack · Dream Rout Valkyries to Take 2-1 Finals Lead

The Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 on Wednesday to take a 2-1 WNBA Finals lead. Angel Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds.

16 points for Rhyne Howard; 15 for Naz Hillmon.
63-35: Atlanta's combined third-quarter edge across three games.
15 points for Gabby Williams, on 5-of-18 shooting.
Reese has posted a double-double in every game of the Finals.

Why it matters: Atlanta had never won a Finals game before Monday. It now leads a Finals series for the first time.

Reese is the youngest player with consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound Finals games.
Games moved from a 3,500-seat arena to one holding 17,000-plus.

The story so far

4 steps · since Oct 14

Oct 14Dream and Valkyries Set for WNBA Finals Showdown11 sources
Oct 15Cunningham Slams WNBA Over Reese Technical Foul Decision5 sources
Oct 19Reese's 30-Point Night Lifts Dream to First Finals Win18 sources
Oct 21Dream Rout Valkyries to Take 2-1 Finals LeadYou are hereLatest

How 13 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 13 sources

13 sources · 27 articles · 39% Left coverage

Where they split: Outlets agree on the game but differ on which side stories lead: Fox News highlights teams leaving the court during the anthem, while others emphasize attendance and ratings.

Center coverage, 5 sources: The center frames it as a hometown story about Atlanta chasing its first title.

FOX 5 Atlanta22hDream seek 2-1 Finals lead behind Reese’s record night USA Today2hDream bullied Valkyries in Game 3. How does Golden State respond?WSB-TV Atlanta12hAtlanta Dream ‘super fan’ thrilled about WNBA Finals ESPN4hReese keeps Dream rolling in Game 3 to take series lead in WNBA Finals Associated Press5hAtlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 for a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals

Left coverage, 5 sources: The left frames it as a Reese-led rout, adding celebrity attendance and record viewership.

The Guardian6hAngel Reese stars again as Atlanta Dream thrash Valkyries to seize WNBA finals lead The Boston Globe5hAngel Reese, Dream rout Valkyries in Game 3 to grab lead in WNBA Finals San Francisco Chronicle4hDream are Valkyries’ WNBA Finals nightmare. Game 3 was a wakeup call Al Jazeera48mAngel Reese shines again as Dream down Valkyries to lead WNBA Finals CNN6hAtlanta’s dream of a WNBA title might be coming soon. A guardian Angel leads the way

Right coverage, 3 sources: The right credits Reese and the sellout crowd, while spotlighting the anthem absences and Kanter Freedom's removal.

Fox News6hAngel Reese delivers another double-double as Atlanta Dream take 2–1 lead in WNBA Finals New York Post5hDream rip Valkyries in Game 3 behind Angel Reese's double-double to take lead in WNBA Finals Daily Mail5hAngel Reese taunts rival with foul-mouthed insult in record-breaking performance that edges Atlanta Dream closer to WNBA title

What’s next: Game 4 is Saturday at State Farm Arena. It is sold out.

Both teams left the court during the anthem for the third straight game.
Fox News reported the league has not answered OutKick's questions about it.
Why was Enes Kanter Freedom removed after declining a private suite offered for his protection?
Will the WNBA respond to questions about teams leaving the court during the anthem?