Angel Reese helps Dream even WNBA Finals with Game 2 victory over Valkyries

Angel Reese sent the message loud and clear to her teammates: "I need the ball! I need the ball!"

In front of the Golden State Valkyries' raucous home crowd, the Atlanta star had no choice but to raise her voice — and Reese knew she had to raise her game, too.

She delivered with 30 points and 16 rebounds in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals after she struggled down the stretch in the series opener, and the Dream stymied Golden State on both ends in the second half to beat the Valkyries 79-65 on Monday night and even the best-of-seven matchup at one game apiece.

"For me, I think I let my team down last game not really contributing as much as I could in the second half," Reese said. "Not even just about scoring, my screen quality, me hustling and running to get rebounds, just doing the things that they know me to do. So I just wanted to make sure I came out tonight and left my mark and did whatever I could to get the win, and I think I did that tonight."

Rhyne Howard set a Finals record with six steals, Allisha Gray added 18 points, and Jordin Canada contributed 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Dream earned the franchise's first Finals victory after going winless in three previous trips — 0-10 overall. They now head home having salvaged a split in front of the boisterous "Ballhalla" crowd at Chase Center.

"It's just the next step of who Atlanta is," Reese said.

Reese became the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Jonquel Jones for Connecticut in 2019 and Breanna Stewart for Seattle in 2020.

Gabby Williams scores 26 points as Valkyries defeat Dream in WNBA Finals opener

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko could see the focus in his superstar's face before the game, and Reese's