Reese scores 23 as Atlanta nears WNBA finals; Valkyries take 2-0 lead over Aces
Angel Reese scored 23 points as the Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 101-98 in overtime in Game 2 of the WNBA semi-finals on Wednesday, while the Golden State Valkyries held off the Las Vegas Aces 83-81 to also take 2-0 leads in their best-of-five semi-final series.
The Dream moved within one victory of their first WNBA finals appearance since 2013 after winning Game 2, having also prevailed in Game 1 by 92-82. Jordin Canada finished with 23 points and eight assists for Atlanta, and Reese contributed six of the club’s 13 overtime points. Breanna Stewart led New York with 35 points, 25 of them in the first half, and later said officials told the Liberty they did not have a reset left when they declined to use one on the final play. Atlanta was missing leading scorer Allisha Gray because of a left-hand injury, and rookie Izzy Borlase scored 11 off the bench.
Late in regulation, with New York trailing 86-80 under two minutes, Sabrina Ionescu trimmed the deficit with a deep three. An Atlanta shot-clock violation with 31 seconds remaining gave the Liberty another opportunity, and Stewart hit a quick layup to make it 86-85. After New York fouled to extend the game, Reese made two free throws to put Atlanta up 88-85 with 14.5 seconds remaining, Marine Fauthoux then hit a game-tying three with 10.3 seconds left, and Rhyne Howard’s midrange attempt rimmed out at the buzzer to force overtime.
In the extra period Atlanta opened with a 5-0 spurt before New York answered with eight straight to lead 96-93. Canada and Reese scored consecutive baskets to reclaim the advantage for the Dream, Stewart replied with a basket, and Naz Hillmon’s layup with 20.8 seconds left in overtime put Atlanta ahead for good. The Dream forced a jump ball on New York’s first attempt at their final possession, the Liberty won the tip and had another chance before Sabrina Ionescu overthrew a pass; Reese then made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left to secure the 101-98 victory.
Dream coach Karl Smesko described the closing sequence, saying: "We just had a message that we thought we could be the best team over the last five minutes, let’s start off by executing the first couple plays. Everybody was locked in on what those plays were, and they went out there and executed them." Reese reflected on the team’s approach after the win: "I think we did a great job making sure that we were all on the connected stream," Reese said. "We really stayed together and played together, and that’s how we won." Stewart, addressing New York’s outlook, said: "We’re not focused on winning three games straight right now. We’re focused on winning one game, and that’s Friday, and then we go from there. This group has experience. I’ve been part of some crazy series and I have a lot of confidence in our group."
At Golden State, Veronica Burton’s deep three with 41 seconds left and two late free throws helped the Valkyries hold off the Aces 83-81. Tiffany Hayes scored 21 points, Gabby Williams had 20 and five rebounds, and Kayla Thornton added 16 as Golden State moved one win from the finals in only their second season. A shot-clock violation with 1:01 remaining returned possession to the Valkyries and Burton converted what proved to be her only field goal of the night on that sequence. Jackie Young missed the second of two free throws with six seconds left; Chelsea Gray grabbed the rebound and drove for a layup attempt that Kiah Stokes blocked before Burton secured the ball.
Golden State became the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs in their inaugural season last year, and coach Becky Hammon had said before Wednesday’s game how important it would be to return home with a split; the Valkyries’ home performance denied the Aces that chance. A’ja Wilson scored 24 points on nine-for-16 shooting with seven rebounds for Las Vegas, which trailed 66-55 entering the fourth quarter before mounting a late comeback; Gray’s jumper with 4:46 remaining pulled the Aces within 73-68, Dana Evans’ three cut it to 74-71 and Gray hit a tying three with 2:10 left.
New York will host Game 3 on Friday. The Valkyries-Aces series now shifts to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Friday.