With Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals taking place in Atlanta, the Dream seized a golden opportunity to turn a 1-1 series into an advantage on their home court. On Wednesday, Atlanta welcomed the Golden State Valkyries to State Farm Arena for Game 3, where Angel Reese became only the second player ever, joining A’ja Wilson, to record 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in consecutive Finals games, while the ongoing national anthem controversy once again drew attention away from the action on the court.

However, the Dream ultimately left little doubt about who controlled the night, rolling to a dominant 97-71 victory to seize a 2-1 series lead. So with the Valkyries now facing an uphill battle to keep their Finals hopes alive, here are some takeaways from their latest game.

Natalie Nakase hit with $500 fine after heated moment in Valkyries’ game 3 loss

The Golden State Valkyries kept the match close through halftime. But as they headed to the second half, frustration began to creep into their game as the deficit on the scoreboard grew. The game started to slip away from their hands, and head coach Natalie Nakase found herself at the center of a heated moment that sent her home with a punishment from the WNBA.

The incident came with 48 seconds left in the third quarter, when Gabby Williams was called for an offensive foul after making contact with Dream guard Jordin Canada. Williams appeared unhappy with the decision and signaled toward the bench, seemingly asking Nakase to challenge the call. However, no challenge came, and the situation only escalated from there.

“Valkyries unwinding a bit here, Natalie Nakase gets called for a tech after the Gabby Williams offensive foul, that latter of which was very unhappy with that call, seemed to signal to the bench to challenge it, which did not happen,” Valkyries reporter Kenzo Fukuda noted on X.

Nakase was assessed a technical foul for arguing with the officials as Canada went on to convert her free throw. This sequence summed up a pretty frustrating evening for Golden State, which struggled to contain Atlanta. But that’s not it.

The tech also carries a financial punishment for the head coach. It was her first of the postseason, triggering a $500 fine under the WNBA’s technical foul penalty structure.

Angel Reese makes history again in WNBA Finals

Reese made history in Game 2 by becoming the youngest player to record 30 points and 15 rebounds in a WNBA postseason game while leading the Atlanta Dream to their first Finals win. It was the kind of performance that silenced critics, but she wasn’t done making her mark on the series.

Just 48 hours later, the 24-year-old was back at it. Reese finished Game 3 with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. She also pulled down 12 rebounds and recorded three steals, helping Atlanta secure a dominant 97-71 win over the Golden State Valkyries.

According to the WNBA Communications account on X, Reese is now the youngest player in WNBA Finals history to record at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in back-to-back games.

“Angel Reese is now the youngest player in WNBA Finals history to record 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in consecutive games. Reese joins A’ja Wilson as the only players to achieve this milestone in consecutive Finals games.”

But besides that, with 15 points and 7 rebounds at halftime, she is now also the second player in WNBA history with 15+ PTS, 7+ REB, and 2+ STL in the opening half of a WNBA Finals game. The only player to have done that is Nneka Ogwumike in 2016.

National anthem controversy follows Dream and Valkyries into WNBA Finals Game 3

The national anthem controversy has once again followed the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries into Game 3. Ever since their Finals series kicked off, both teams have left the court again and again before the anthem. Their continued absence has drawn attention throughout the Finals, but the reason behind the routine remains unclear.

Yet despite growing criticism, they have repeated their actions. Golden State has said it is following the pregame routine it has used since joining the WNBA in 2025, while Atlanta has reportedly remained off the court during the anthem for several years.

WNBA rulebook clearly states that “Players, coaches, and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the playing of the National Anthem.” But their conduct appears contrary to the written rule.

However, the practice is not unique to either team, as several WNBA franchises have historically stayed off the court during the anthem for social justice reasons or to continue their pregame preparations. However, neither team has publicly established that either reason explains its current routine, and there has been no confirmed announcement of disciplinary action against either franchise.

Enes Kanter Freedom turned away from the game

Freedom was supposed to have a private suite at State Farm Arena after raising concerns about his security ahead of Game 3. However, when the former NBA player arrived at the venue on Wednesday, he was stopped at the gates and reportedly denied entry.

In a clip circulating online, arena officials explained that Freedom’s conduct during the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever game in late August, along with the “What Is a Woman?” shirt he was wearing, played a role in the decision. His previous security concerns were also cited during the exchange.

Freedom, however, called the treatment “discrimination” as he left the arena, adding another flashpoint to his ongoing dispute with the WNBA.

However, with the Dream now leading the series 2-1, all eyes turn to Game 4 as Atlanta looks to move one win closer to its first WNBA championship.

The two teams will return to State Farm Arena on October 24, where the Dream will aim to extend their advantage to 3-1, while the Valkyries face mounting pressure to even the series before heading back to Golden State.