The Atlanta Dream try to even the WNBA Finals on Monday night when they face the Golden State Valkyries in Dream vs Valkyries Finals Game 2 at Chase Center. Golden State took Game 1 on Saturday, winning 68-64, and now leads the best-of-seven series 1-0 heading into the second meeting of the week.
Atlanta reached the Finals for the first time since 2013 after sweeping the New York Liberty in the semifinals, and the Dream are still searching for their first championship after falling short in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Golden State, in just its second year of existence, is the fastest expansion franchise to reach a WNBA Finals and is also chasing its first title. The Valkyries swept the regular-season series against Atlanta 3-0, including an 88-83 win on July 4, and have now beaten the Dream four straight times dating back to that run.
Dream Vs Valkyries Finals Game 2 Information
- Date: Monday, Oct. 19
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
- TV/Streaming: USA Net, CNBC, Peacock, E!
- Series: Golden State leads 1-0, WNBA Finals
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Atlanta 87.8, Golden State 84.3
- Field goal percentage: Atlanta 40.8%, Golden State 40.2%
- Two-point field goal percentage: Atlanta 45.1%, Golden State 43.9%
- Three-point percentage: Golden State 34.7%, Atlanta 33.1%
- Free throw percentage: Atlanta 89.2%, Golden State 84.1%
- Assists per game: Atlanta 19.0, Golden State 16.6
- Offensive rebounds per game: Golden State 10.7, Atlanta 8.0
- Defensive rebounds per game: Golden State 27.6, Atlanta 24.5
- Steals per game: Atlanta 9.5, Golden State 7.0
- Season record: Golden State 32-12, Atlanta 30-14
Atlanta Dream Outlook
Atlanta enters Game 2 having lost four straight to Golden State, including Saturday’s 68-64 setback in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. The Dream still lead the head-to-head numbers in several categories that matter: Atlanta averages 87.8 points per game to Golden State’s 84.3, and the Dream’s 19.0 assists per game outpace the Valkyries’ 16.6. Atlanta also holds a steals edge at 9.5 per game compared to Golden State’s 7.0, a number that reflects the ball pressure Jordin Canada and her teammates apply.
Forward Brionna Jones remains out with a left leg injury, and guard Matilde Villa is out as a coach’s decision, according to official injury designations. Angel Reese leads Atlanta on the glass at 12.1 rebounds per game and also tops the team’s overall rating line at 16.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. Reese has spoken about her first Finals appearance. Allisha Gray leads Atlanta in scoring at 19.0 points per game and is projected to start alongside Reese and Canada, who averages 7.3 assists per game.
Golden State Valkyries Outlook
Golden State heads into Game 2 unbeaten against Atlanta this season across four meetings, a span that includes the regular-season sweep and Saturday’s Finals opener. The Valkyries lean on rebounding and ball control, out-boarding Atlanta on the defensive glass 27.6 to 24.5 per game and limiting turnovers to nine per game, the same mark as Atlanta despite taking fewer three-point attempts per possession.
Guard Tiffany Hayes is listed as day-to-day with a head injury and carries a return date of Oct. 19, meaning her availability for Game 2 is uncertain under the team’s own designation. Center Iliana Rupert remains out for a reason unrelated to injury. Veronica Burton, who averages 5.7 assists per game and posts a per-game line of 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks, is projected to start at point guard. Gabby Williams leads Golden State in scoring at 14.4 points per game, while Kiah Stokes paces the team on the boards at 5.8 rebounds per game.
Key Matchup
Atlanta’s rebounding deficiency looms as the central issue for Game 2. The Dream were outrebounded on the defensive glass in the season series and again trail Golden State in that category by more than three boards per game, 27.6 to 24.5. Reese’s 12.1 rebounds per game give Atlanta its best individual answer, but the Valkyries get contributions across their frontcourt, led by Stokes, to control second-chance opportunities. If Atlanta can turn its steals advantage, 9.5 to 7.0 per game, into transition points, the Dream can offset what has been a losing battle on the boards through four meetings this season.
Players To Watch
Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream
Reese leads all players in this series in rebounding at 12.1 per game and ranks second on Atlanta in scoring during the regular season. Her production on the glass will determine whether the Dream can slow Golden State’s offensive rebounding, which sits at 10.7 per game.
Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries
Burton’s 5.7 assists per game lead the Valkyries, and her all-around line of 12.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game has anchored Golden State’s point guard rotation, which also includes Kaitlyn Chen.
What To Watch
Golden State can take a commanding 2-0 series lead with a win, a position no team has let slip in these Finals so far. Atlanta, meanwhile, needs a response after dropping Game 1 to avoid heading back to Atlanta already facing a two-game hole. Both franchises are chasing a first championship, and the Valkyries’ run as the fastest expansion team to reach a Finals adds historical weight to every result. The series moves to State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 after Monday’s contest at Chase Center.
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