The Atlanta Dream have taken a 2–1 lead in the WNBA Finals, beating the Golden State Valkyries 97–71 at State Farm Arena on 21 October.

Gabby Williams led Golden State with 15 points. Atlanta’s Angel Reese scored 21 and collected 12 rebounds, according to the Valkyries’ game report. Five Dream players reached double figures.

Golden State missed their first eight shots from the field and went almost five minutes without scoring. After the defeat, guard Tiffany Hayes urged her teammates to adjust and stick together: “we have to stay together and do it”.

Atlanta have now won twice since Golden State’s opening victory. Fridae’s Game 2 report followed the Dream’s 79–65 win, which brought the teams level before the series moved east.

Williams is among the players Fridae has been following. The Valkyries’ July All-Star coverage identified New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes as her partner.

The best-of-seven series continues in Atlanta on Saturday 24 October. Game 4 is scheduled for 10am Pacific time, which is 1am on Sunday 25 October in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei.