Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase reveals key to stopping Angel Reese in WNBA Finals Game 2 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the Golden State Valkyries looking to extend their lead in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream, one of the players that the team needs to stop is star Angel Reese. As the Valkyries took Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Dream on Saturday, 68-64, head coach Natalie Nakase would provide some insight into how the team could contain Reese.
Speaking before Game 2 on Monday night, Nakase stresses the need for Golden State to prevent Reese from getting the ball, according to ClutchPoints’ Valkyries reporter Kenzo Fukuda.
“Don’t let her touch it… She’s a tough coverage, even when she has the ball. I mean, she drives with force, so it’s just making sure we’re taking away the shot that she wants. But also, again, it’s going to be team based anyway, so we’re always going to make sure we’re shifted in the right spots,” Nakase said.
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How Angel Reese played against the Valkyries in Game 1
In Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, Reese would record 14 points on five of 11 shooting from the field, missing her lone three-point shot, making four of seven from the free-throw line, to go along with 12 rebounds, tw steals, and one block. Despite the win in Game 1, the Valkyries are looking for a lesser stat line for Reese in Atlanta, as she is an impact player who could switch the trajectory of the game.
If there is one thing for certain, Golden State is looking to further cement themselves as controlling the series, as the team has just lost once in the entire WNBA Playoffs, which was Game 2 in the first round to the Dallas Wings. At any rate, it remains to be seen how well the Valkyries defend Reese and the Dream as a whole in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night.
Related: Angel Reese reveals Dream’s adjustments after letting Game 1 ‘slip away’
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