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Coach Karl Smesko’s Angel Reese-led Atlanta Dream faced off against the Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena, during a WNBA Finals Game 4 that was won by the visitors, 67-62. The Valkyries made history with their Game 4 lineup against Atlanta, and used it well as they captured a series tying win, knotting things up at 2-2.
The Dream fell behind by five points after one quarter, and 16 points after two quarters, as they attempted to claw their way back into the game in the second half. When the dust settled, Reese’s team suffered a deflating home loss that prevented Atlanta from seizing control of the series.
Here are three players to blame, including the former Chicago Sky star Reese, after the difficult home loss suffered by coach Smesko’s team.
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Dream player #1: Angel Reese
Reese’s confidence was sky-high heading into the game but her shooting was anything but on target as she ended up 2-for-12 from the field. Reese quieted the doubters with a scoring average of 16.4 points per game during the regular season but only scored eight against the Dream in Game 4 and did it while missing way too often in a crucial game.
Reese tied Naz Hillmon for the Dream’s team lead in rebounds with nine, and she also added three blocks. But her confidence and bravado simply was not backed up in the fashion that fans hoped for on the day as she allowed her team to slip away from the lead and ultimately watched as the Valkyries took control.
The Dream star wanted the smoke, and the spotlight that came with being a vocal leader, now she must deal with the fallout of a loss that went south fast. Reese needs to get back in the gym and put up a few thousand jumpers before she shoots her team into another loss.
Dream player #2: DeWanna Bonner
Bonner was a solid role player for the Dream during the regular season with over eight points per game scored and a 50% shooting percentage. She also grabbed over five rebounds per game and looked to be heading for a memorable postseason.
Bonner and the Dream’s postseason has been memorable so far, but it could end in a nightmare if it continues on its current path. Bonner shot just 1-5 against the Valkyries in Game 4 and turned the ball over once, finishing with four points in 12 minutes. She did snag three rebounds and one steal, but it wasn’t the contribution Smesko and his team needed from one of its grittiest and most dependable players on a massive WNBA Finals stage in Game 4.
Dream player #3: Allisha Gray
Gray was the Dream’s leading scorer in the regular season with 19 points per game but her effort in Game 4 was a forgettable one as she finished with five points on 1-of-7 shooting in 22 minutes of game action.
Gray and the Dream will need a better effort in Game 5 with the series shifting to the Chase Center in California and the Valkyries’ fanbase foaming at the mouth for another big victory that could put them on the precipice of a WNBA Championship.
Neither the Valkyries nor the Dream have ever won a WNBA Championship, heightening the stakes heading into Game 5 in the Bay Area. The Dream need better performances from their top players, and their most dependable players, as they head into the next game. The city of Atlanta deserves better, as does Smesko, as the series prepares to shift to Golden State.
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