WNBA Finals Takeaways: Reese double-double lifts Dream to 2-1 sequence lead

When the Atlanta Dream traded for Angel Reese on April 6, they have been considering forward to the tip of a season that hadn’t but began, plotting for the influence this younger star would have on deep post-season runs and what she might convey on nights like Wednesday evening. 

A Reese double-double has turn into commonplace over her first three years within the league. But even after averaging 16.4 factors and 12.1 rebounds within the common season, it was by no means sure that she’d be capable of keep that very same degree of manufacturing in her first WNBA post-season. 

In actuality, she’s improved. 

Reese is the youngest participant in WNBA Finals historical past to start out a sequence with three consecutive double-doubles. She’s averaging 21.7 factors and 13.3 rebounds per recreation this sequence, even after she went scoreless within the second half of Game 1. 

With 21 factors, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals, Reese led the Dream to a powerful 95-71 victory over the Golden State Valkyries to place her group up 2-1 within the best-of-seven Finals. 

It felt like Golden State didn’t present up for the primary 5 minutes of play. Their capturing dried up they usually saved by accident passing the ball to the opposite group. On the flip, Atlanta discovered its rhythm from three, dialled in on defence and placed on a present at dwelling. 

Here’s a have a look at among the largest takeaways from Game 3. 

Two issues may also help sign how the Dream are feeling: Reese’s trash discuss and her three-point capturing. 

When Reese is actually allotting smack discuss, concentrate; it means she’s feeling assured and it normally results in large stops and larger manufacturing. And, if she’s doing that whereas intentionally lining up from deep, it is a certain signal of hassle. 

Reese was caught speaking an enormous recreation on Wednesday and was an ideal 2-for-2 from past the arc. Golden State didn’t stand an opportunity. 

Even so, if you break down Atlanta’s success, it doesn’t all come from Reese. She might set the tone, nevertheless it’s Jordin Canada’s eight assists and gritty drives to the web that add bulk scoring. A clutch energy-altering three from Isobel Borlase and 15 factors from Naz Hillmon can all make the distinction.

The Dream executed a number of prolonged runs all through the sport to take again the lead each time the Valkyries teased a comeback. They restricted their very own turnovers and scored 22 factors off of 17 Valkyries turnovers. Atlanta performed true to its fast model of play, scoring in transition and controlling the movement for the second recreation in a row.

The Valkyries crumbled within the opening minutes. They took 9 journeys down the court docket and got here again with zero factors. Their poor bench spent many of the first quarter standing, ready for the primary basket to fall, and the struggling starters have been no assist in attaining that mission. 

Shot after shot rattled off the rim or missed huge. Layup, mid-range or three, it didn’t matter; the Valkyries couldn’t discover a approach to make them fall. 

Eventually, they opted for a handout. After an embarrassing run of misses, Kaila Charles fought her approach to the charity stripe the place she hit simply one in all her two photographs to make the rating 9-1. 

For a group that normally scores by committee, the bench assist all through the sport wasn’t a shock. The lack of manufacturing from the starters, nevertheless, was a serious downfall. With lower than 30 seconds left within the first quarter, Gabby Williams hit a 3 that marked the primary factors any of the starters had scored all night. 

The first 10 minutes dug a pit the Valkyries by no means escaped.

Stopped, blocked and stolen

The Valkyries wish to take their time with the ball. They want further house and additional tempo. If they’re in management, they’re utilizing a whole shot clock, managing the countdown completely, and organising one of the best shot potential. But when the Dream are there, staring them down with arms stretched huge and legs able to pounce, that recreation plan doesn’t appear to face an opportunity. 

With Rhyne Howard, Canada, and Reese, the Dream have three of the league’s high stealers, and in Game 3, the hosts mixed for 9 takeaways. Howard led the best way with 5, only one in need of her record-breaking six from Game 2, whereas Reese had three and Canada added one. 

These large stops disrupted the Valkyries’ desired movement and did extra than simply finish journeys; they deflated offensive energy. 

Blocks have additionally rained down on each ends of the ground all through the sequence. With Kiah Stokes lining up towards Atlanta’s top, it has been troublesome for anybody to place up an uncontested shot. The Dream had blocks from all positions as they completed with 4. The Valkyries have been simply above them with 5, three of which got here from Stokes.

Across the lineup, the Valkyries have work to do on offence. Still, two new faces made their approach to the highest of the scoresheet for his or her first appreciable influence of the sequence. 

Cecilia Zandalasini began however was pulled after lower than three minutes. The starter has turn into aware of this type of brief leash all through the playoffs. Head coach Natalie Nakase is thought for utilizing the bench, and in conditions when she feels the starters could be struggling — like when Zandalasini missed back-to-back jumpers within the opening minutes — she’ll make a quick change.

Zandalasini, nevertheless, wasn’t keen to have that first 2:51 outline her recreation. When she returned to the court docket the following quarter, her photographs started to drop. By the tip of the evening, she was 4-for-5 from behind the arc and completed tied for third most factors on her group. 

Janelle Salaun additionally turned her capturing recreation round. In every of the primary two video games of the sequence, the unanimous Sixth Woman of the Year had zero factors. The double goose egg might have disrupted your complete sequence for one of many Valkyries’ most essential scorers, however on Wednesday the 25-year-old began to seem like herself once more. Salaun averaged 12.7 factors per recreation through the season and completed Game 3 with 13. 

Atlanta heard about what occurred on the Chase Center in San Francisco and determined it may’t let the West Coast have all of the enjoyable.  

17,044 followers didn’t simply promote out State Farm Arena; they matched the vitality and quantity of Ballhalla. 

After the Dream made the Finals, the WNBA needed to work out a plan with the Atlanta Hawks to work out to accommodate for Games 3 and 4. With the NBA common season additionally starting this week, there have been scheduling challenges. Originally, the Dream have been scheduled to play at their normal dwelling of Gateway Center Arena, a venue with a capability of three,500, on Thursday. To make the brand new stadium work, the sport needed to be moved up by sooner or later.

After Game 2 in Golden State, Reese had a message for the house crowd because the group ready to play the primary WNBA Finals recreation in Atlanta since 2013. 

“Atlanta, y’all better pull up and pop out!” she mentioned.