Caitlin Clark takes a breather as Angel Reese makes things tough for her and the entire WNBA

We never got to see Caitlin Clark in the WNBA Finals, but Angel Reese has made sure the biggest stage still has a superstar putting on a show. The Atlanta Dream forward is delivering a historic performance, dominating the Finals and cementing her place alongside some of the greatest players in league history.

Reese once again delivered when it mattered most, leading the Dream to a dominant 97-71 victory over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena. The young star finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals in 34 minutes, shooting 7-of-12 from the field.

The win gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and moved the franchise closer to what would be its first championship in team history.

According to ESPN Insights, Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record a double-double in each of her first three career Finals games. She also joined A’ja Wilson as the only players ever to record consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound performances in the same WNBA Finals series.

Reese’s dominance has been a constant throughout the series. In her Finals debut, she posted 14 points and 12 rebounds in the Game 1 loss, before exploding for 30 points and 16 rebounds in Game 2, leading the Dream to the first Finals victory in franchise history.

The Dream are two wins away from a championship

In Game 3, Reese showed another dimension of her skill set. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year surprised from beyond the arc, knocking down two three-pointers, a part of her game that has rarely been a focal point.

Her first three came late in the opening quarter and helped Atlanta build a 22-12 lead. Her second triple extended the advantage to 30-23 in the second quarter, and shortly after, she made a key defensive impact with a steal that led to a Rhyne Howard three-pointer.

According to the WNBA, the Dream remain undefeated this season — including the regular season and playoffs — whenever Reese makes at least one three-pointer.

Beyond the numbers, Reese continued to bring the intensity and confidence that have become part of her identity. After drawing a foul on a layup against Aminata Gueye, the Atlanta star celebrated in front of the Valkyries before sharing a chest bump with teammate Allisha Gray.

The Dream are two wins away from a championship

Atlanta once again showed its depth and balance. Rhyne Howard added 16 points, Naz Hillmon scored 15 and Isobel Borlase contributed 12 points off the bench. The Dream shot 49% from the field and turned Golden State’s 17 turnovers into 22 points.

For the Valkyries, Gabby Williams led the team with 15 points, but she needed 18 shots to get there. Cecilia Zandalasini added 13 points, while Golden State struggled offensively, shooting just 35% from the field.

The Valkyries now face a critical moment and need a much stronger performance to avoid falling into a nearly impossible hole.

With the opportunity to capture the first championship in franchise history, the Atlanta Dream are only two wins away from the title and will look to take a commanding advantage when they host Game 4 on Saturday.