Angel Reese’s 30 points lead the Dream past the Valkyries in Game 2, 79–65

Game story

Angel Reese led the Dream with 30 points and 16 rebounds on 10-of-16 shooting (1-of-1 from three), 9-of-11 at the line in 34 minutes as the Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 79–65 on Monday, October 19.

Who stood out

Angel Reese: 30 points and 16 rebounds on 10-of-16 shooting (1-of-1 from three), 9-of-11 at the line in 34 minutes, a +13 in her minutes. By the observed shot locations, 7-of-10 at the rim, 2-of-5 in the paint outside the restricted area and 1-of-1 from above the break. She entered averaging 16 points this season; this finish was 14 above that mark. She had averaged 19.1 over her previous 10, putting this game 10.9 above that recent pace; that recent average was already 3.1 above her season mark.

How it happened

It did not start that way: the Valkyries led 21–18 after one quarter and by as many as 6. The third quarter was the swing — the Dream won it 21–9 — and they led 39–37 at halftime. The game had 14 lead changes; the Dream’s largest lead was 21.

The Dream won it with their starters: the Valkyries’ bench outscored theirs, 33–11. For the Valkyries, Gabby Williams scored 14 (3-of-15) and Tiffany Hayes 14 (5-of-11).

The Dream made 21-62 from the field (34%) and 7-25 from three; the Valkyries 21-61 (34%). Turnovers ran 14–19, and points off turnovers 13–24 in the Valkyries’ favor — the margin came from shooting, not possession control. Rebounds went 36–32, points in the paint 24–26.

What it means

A reason to be cautious about carrying this game forward: Angel Reese’s previous-10 average (19.1) already sat 3.1 above her season mark, so against recent form the game is a smaller outlier than the season averages make it look; the Dream gave up more points off turnovers than they scored, 24–13. One game is still one game.

After the result the Dream were 30-14 and the Valkyries 32-12 (team schedules through October 19). The Dream’s 79 was 12.3 below the 91.3 a game they averaged entering it.

This did not come against one of the league’s softest defenses: the Valkyries allow 75.1 points a game (standings as of Oct 19), 15th-most of 15.

Next up: GS at ATL on Oct 21 (no market capture yet) — and the Valkyries allow 75.1 a game, 15th-most of 15. Player props enter the board inside 36 hours of tip.