Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries, 79-65, on Monday night to tie the WNBA Finals at 1-1 and make history.
Reese was a powerhouse in the game, recording an impressive double-double of 30 points and 16 rebounds. She made 10 of 16 field goals, including her only 3-pointer, and sank 9 of 11 free throws. Reese also filled out her stat line with three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
With that performance, she became the youngest player ever to achieve several statistical feats. According to StatMuse, she is the youngest player with a 20-point, 10-rebound game and the youngest player with a 30-point, 15-rebound game in WNBA Finals history.
According to WNBA Communications, she joined a select group of players to have recorded at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a WNBA postseason game, which includes Jonquel Jones, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and A’ja Wilson.
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Reese's teammate, Rhyne Howard, also set a WNBA Finals record for most steals in a game, recording six in Game 2.
And the Dream accomplished another major piece of history by winning the franchise's first-ever WNBA Finals game. Atlanta appeared in the 2010, 2011, and 2013 WNBA Finals and was swept in each of those best-of-five game series.
The WNBA Finals format changed to a best-of-seven series last year, which is what the NBA uses. The Dream will now return home with the opportunity to take a 2-1 series lead over the Valkyries, who entered the series as slight favorites to win the championship.
Reese's intensity was clearly on display throughout Game 2, with several highlights circulating online that captured her emotional reactions.
On a play in the first quarter, she trash-talked a Golden State player with some colorful language. In the third, she seemingly yelled, "Give me the [expletive] ball," at teammates after she scored on a layup and was fouled, helping Atlanta take a lead.
Reese's historic performance followed a disappointing Game 1, which Atlanta narrowly lost to Golden State, 68-64. However, it may have motivated Reese to step up even more in the second game to even the series.
She didn't get the Game 2 win on her own, as she had help from her star backcourt. Allisha Gray scored 18 points to go with five rebounds, while Jordin Canada also had a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists. Canada finished three rebounds shy of recording a triple-double in the game.
The series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. ET, with the Dream hosting Golden State at State Farm Arena.
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