Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream tied the WNBA Finals series at 1-1 after defeating the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 on Monday. Karl Smesko and his squad needed a win to split the series before it shifts to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4.
The Dream dominated the second half to secure the 79-65 win, outscoring the Valkyries 40-28 after the break. Reese led the way with 30 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. She also shot an efficient 62.5% from the field. Allisha Gray chipped in 18 points and five rebounds.
Tiffany Hayes and Gabby Williams each scored 14 points for the Valkyries. However, the whole team struggled from the field, shooting only 34.4%.
Coach Smesko’s bond with his star forward has been a big part of Atlanta’s success this season. Ever since acquiring Reese in a blockbuster offseason trade with the Chicago Sky, he has taken a hands-on approach to coaching her.
The player-coach duo even have their own handshake that they do during warm-ups. However, they have offered varying accounts as to the origin of the pregame move.
“I don’t remember who came up with it,” Reese said. “We always used to do this at first (showing a fist bump), and then we added a little bit to it.”
“As you could imagine, Angel came up with it,” Smesko explained. “I just had to learn it, but we’ve stuck with it all year — and it’s fun.”
Smesko and Reese will look to win Game 3 and take a 2-1 series lead on Wednesday. Games 3 and 4 will be played at State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks previously agreed to move their home opener’s start time to 8:30 p.m. ET to accommodate Game 4 on Saturday.
