The Golden State Valkyries visited the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday for Game 3 of the WNBA finals as the teams had split the first two games of the series. The offense continued their struggles early, but the Valkyries did start to find some rhythm before halftime. They tied the game after the break, but missed some chances to get the psychological edge of a lead. Atlanta went on a long run to put the game out of reach and got the 97-71 win. Golden State will try to tie the series in the next game on Saturday before returning home.
The Lineup
There was no surprise player news so everyone who was expected to be available was dressed. Atlanta went with the same seven players in their rotation. The Valkyries went with Aminata Gueye for the backup center minutes and then adjusted their substitution patterns based on what was happening in the game, playing all ten players in the second half as well. There was also return of smallball minutes and then the margin meant that all available players got time.
First Quarter
Atlanta scored first as both teams had some early misses and quickly added a pair of free throws and a layup. The defense held strong after that though and the offensive drought was finally ended before the halfway mark of the quarter with a Kaila Charles free throw. The Dream answered with a three-point play at the media timeout. After committing the foul at the other end, Aminata Gueye ended up getting a touch in the post and made the first field goal, but she was caught camping in the paint, although the Dream missed the free throw resulting from the Defensive Three Seconds violation.
Tiffany Hayes was able to drive up the floor for early offense and made the layup before making a three-pointer on the next possession. Atlanta responded and then rebounded the miss of the free throw, getting fouled again to add two more points. Gueye battled in the paint and got fouled herself, making both free throws. The Dream made their first three-pointer and did it again on the next possession to force the Valkyries timeout. Hayes made a layup when action resumed, but Atlanta stretched the lead to double-digits with a three-pointer. Gabby Williams answered, but also fouled to give the Dream more free throws and the 23-15 lead.
Second Quarter
Tiffany Hayes continued to attack and opened the quarter with a three-point play. Atlanta got their first basket, but Janelle Salaun made her first shot after entering, generating some space beyond the arc. The Dream did score again before she got the ball in the corner this time and drove the baseline for the layup, getting fouled only to miss the free throw. Atlanta made three-pointers on consecutive possessions to push the lead back out again ahead of the media timeout. The Dream were able to get another steal as action resumed to add another fast break layup. Salaun made another three-pointer, but Atlanta continued to find success in the post.
There was a transition-take foul on the Dream as Gabby Williams took the free throw, missing it before getting back to the line on the ensuing possession and making both after Atlanta unsuccessfully challenged the call. Salaun connected from long-range again and then Williams was next beyond the arc after a Dream basket. Atlanta got a free throw and then were able to get out in transition again for a three-pointer. Cecilia Zandalasini made her first basket on a difficult three-pointer, but the Valkyries missed a chance to get closer when Salaun could not make either of her free throws. The Dream were able to get a three-pointer before Zandalasini responded to leave Golden State trailing 46-40 at the break.
Third Quarter
Cecilia Zandalasini picked back up where she left off at the end of the half with another three-pointer and then Gabby Williams made it a one-point game with a layup. Atlanta was able to score, but missed the free throw, allowing Zandalasini’s next long distance make to tie the score. The Valkyries missed a chance to take the lead and the Dream got the edge back with a free throw. Zandalasini split her free throws and Atlanta responded with a basket and a pair of free throws. They scored again twice to stretch the lead back out and force the Golden State timeout.
Tiffany Hayes made a tough basket in the paint, but the Dream were able to respond on the other end before Aminata Gueye returned and made a pair of free throws. Hayes attacked again and got the layup as Atlanta was able to score twice with baskets from their bench to lead to another timeout. They were able to get the stop and score to make it a double-digit game again. After her strong first half, Janelle Salaun got a basket by operating in the mid-post, but Atlanta continued to have success on offense and then added a point after a free throw on a technical foul on Natalie Nakase. The Dream then got another basket for the 71-57 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Atlanta scored on the first possession of the quarter as Veronica Burton made a three-pointer after getting a second chance from an offensive rebound. The Dream got free throws next and scored again before adding a free throw. They made two more free throws after a stoppage to deal with infection control. Golden State finally scored again when Kiah Stokes was able to get to work in the post and then Gabby Williams made a three-pointer before a timeout.
The Dream scored when action resumed and extended the lead further before another timeout. Atlanta got back to the free throw line as the Valkyries could not get back in rhythm on offense before Williams could score. Golden State emptied their bench as the Dream added more free throws and then Kaitlyn Chen scored before the other bench was emptied too. Kaila Charles made two free throws for the final Valkyries points as the margin at the end was 97-71.
Player of the Game
The award goes to Janelle Salaun for this game after she was able to make an impact in keeping the team from falling too far behind. It has been a difficult stretch for her after she had been great for most of the season and her minutes continued to drop in the playoffs as she just was not enjoying the same level of success on offense. She looked like the player that everyone was used to when she had a great second quarter that was a few free throws away from being all that could be asked for in a quarter. The game was already starting to get out of hand when she returned, but those early minutes could be what she needs to get more chances early in the next game and allow the Valkyries to bring back some of the offensive-minded lineups that helped them so much in the regular season.
The Verdict
There was carryover from the last game early for the Valkyries as they continued to look for answers on both ends of the court. They were able to get some other players in rhythm and suddenly made a game of it again when they tied the score early in the third quarter. Atlanta was able to find their footing again though and Golden State could not keep up with them. With the risk of being a game away from elimination, Saturday’s meeting will be the time when the Valkyries really think about the changes that could flip the series.
Leave a Reply