Game 3 of the WNBA Finals is underway at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, with the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries tied 1-1 in the series. After a wild first half, Atlanta leads 46-40 at halftime — and the Valkyries made some unwanted history just getting there.
WNBA Finals Game 3 (Credits: ESPN)
Valkyries’ Brutal Cold Start
Golden State opened the game ice cold, failing to score for nearly five minutes. Kaila Charles finally broke the drought with a free throw at the 4:53 mark, cutting Atlanta’s early lead to 8-1. According to Elias via ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, the 4:53 scoreless drought was the second-longest to open a WNBA Finals game in league history.
To their credit, the Valkyries battled back to close the gap before halftime, outscoring Atlanta 25-23 in the second quarter after dropping the first 23-15.
Series So Far
The Valkyries took Game 1 at Chase Center 68-64 behind 26 points from Gabby Williams, but Atlanta answered in Game 2 with a convincing 79-65 win, powered by a historic night from Angel Reese. Both franchises are chasing their first-ever WNBA championship.
What to Watch in the Second Half
Atlanta will look to keep its foot on the gas at home after momentum from the Game 2 blowout. The Valkyries need Williams and Veronica Burton to steady the offense after the disastrous start — and to avoid the fourth-quarter droughts that have plagued both teams this series.
Game 4 stays in Atlanta on Saturday, October 24, before the series returns to Chase Center for Game 5.
Also Read: Angel Reese’s Historic 30-16 Night Powers Dream to First Finals Win, Evens Series 1-1
Source: ESPN — read the full story there.