The Golden State Valkyries hosted the Atlanta Dream in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday, trying to extend their series lead before needing to play two games on the road. It was a close first half, but there were times that the Valkyries looked ready to build an advantage. Atlanta had a run before halftime and the start of the second half was a defensive struggle again before the visitors began to build a lead. They put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, although Golden State did not concede, still losing 79-65 as the teams have a quick turnaround for the next game across the country on Wednesday.
The Lineup
There was no surprise player news so both teams had the expected available players and started the game the exact same way. Golden State’s plan was to go with the near-platoon first half ten-player rotation after the last game. Atlanta made an unexpected move early, bringing in Madina Okot to see how the Valkyries would respond, which led to Aminata Gueye briefly appearing as the eleventh player to enter. The Valkyries cut the second half rotation down to nine players again as Janelle Salaun did not have particularly productive first half minutes. When the result was decided, Atlanta also briefly played Shatori Walker-Kimbrough as they mostly played their starters as much as possible.
First Quarter
Atlanta scored first, but Gabby Williams got the Valkyries on the board with a turnaround jumper once she got the defensive matchup that she wanted. Veronica Burton got an early three-point player, although the Dream were able to tie the score at the free throw line after a foul beyond the arc. They also made the first three-pointer before Cecilia Zandalasini could respond. Offensive rebounding continued to be a story as Kayla Thornton got a fortuitous bobble for an open putback and the Dream responded before the media timeout.
The first players came off of the bench during the stoppage and Kaila Charles ended up with the ball on her first possession with the shot clock winding down, making a three-pointer. Atlanta was eventually able to answer and then took the lead. When another wave of substitutions was made, Tiffany Hayes was able to get a three-point play before the Dream added a free throw. Charles made another three-pointer when good ball movement left her open in the corner, but Atlanta was able to take advantage of quick lineup shuffling to get more free throws. Kaitlyn Chen was able to drive in at the end of the quarter for a layup and the 21-18 lead.
Second Quarter
The first point of the quarter came on a Tiffany Hayes free throw when she was fouled before the ball was inbounded. Atlanta made the next two baskets to take the lead, but Hayes responded with a tough finish. The Dream’s next basket led to a Valkyries timeout and the reinsertion of the entire starting lineup. Gabby Williams made five free throws in a short span surrounding an Atlanta basket before a couple minutes of choppy play for both teams. She returned to the line for two more free throws and Cecilia Zandalasini got there next to extend the lead.
Golden State looked to be in position to close the half strong, but Atlanta pushed back, getting to the free throw line themselves and finding success attacking the defense. Two free throws gave them the lead and then a three-pointer prompted a Valkyries timeout. Tiffany Hayes tied the score by getting layups on consecutive drives, but the team could not get one final stop, leaving the Dream leading 39-37 at the break.
Third Quarter
Both teams traded turnovers immediately and Veronica Burton made a three-pointer. There were more turnovers as Atlanta tied the score again at the free throw line when Kiah Stokes committed a foul before the ball was inbounded. Both teams went two minutes without scoring before a replay review was utilized after Kaitlyn Chen fouled to prevent an easy fastbreak layup. There was no upgrade and the Dream made their free throws as she answered with a tough layup.
Atlanta got the lead back with a three-point play around the media timeout. Chen attacked her matchup on the drive again to get the score, but Atlanta went on an 8-0 with only the first basket not coming at the free throw line. Veronica Burton made a layup, but the Dream closed the quarter on a 7-0 run. Their last basket largely killed any possibility of late momentum when they were able to hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer after the Valkyries had the chance to nearly run out the clock on their final possession, leaving them trailing 60-46.
Fourth Quarter
Atlanta’s success at getting to the free throw line continued with two more trips as Tiffany Hayes was able to get the Valkyries their first two points with a layup by racing up the floor, but she could not add the free throw when she was fouled. An Atlanta three-pointer led to a Golden State timeout that did not provide much help for the offense as two Dream free throws gave them their largest lead instead.
Gabby Williams was left open for a three-pointer on the wing and Hayes headed back to the free throw line, splitting the pair as team looked for anything that could build some momentum. Atlanta scored again and the teams traded three-pointers with Kaila Charles connecting for Golden State. Kaitlyn Chen’s free throws and a Williams jumper did lead to a Dream timeout. They got back to the free throw line and the Valkyries matched them with a make by Hayes after Atlanta’s unsuccessful challenge of the call. The Dream kept their lead going as Veronica Burton returned to make a three-pointer and Laeticia Amihere made her first basket late for the 79-65 final margin.
Player of the Game
This was a tough game for the team as bright moments for players were also offset by struggles. The award will go to Tiffany Hayes after bouncing back from a really difficult last game where she also had to exit early. Atlanta’s perimeter defense is better suited to limiting the Valkyries than most teams and that was shown in this game, but it did not stop her from attacking as best as she could, getting to the free throw line and tying for the team lead in scoring and assists. Her first half scoring kept the Valkyries in the game longer. In a series where the emotional intensity is ramping up, she will be a leader on that front as the next two games are being played where she has spent most of her WNBA career.
The Verdict
This game showed how Atlanta can be a tough matchup for the Valkyries as they were able to not only limit Golden State’s scoring, but also generate turnovers with their defense at a level that they could not achieve in the series opener. There were times early when this game seemed to be going the way that the Valkyries wanted, especially with key Dream players battling first half foul trouble. They were not able to capitalize at the end of the first half though and Atlanta was able to take control instead in the second half. The upcoming is the shortest possible in the series, leaving the coaches little time to make major adjustments after a variety of ideas were employed in the first two games. The Valkyries were able to force the Dream to play their starters heavy minutes again, which could be a factor in the next game too.
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