SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State hadn't lost at home in the 2026 WNBA playoffs.
Atlanta had never won in the WNBA Finals.
Both streaks came to an end Monday in Game 2 at Chase Center.
The Dream evened the series at 1-1 behind a 79-65 victory in which both teams struggled to make baskets. Angel Reese led Atlanta with 30 points and 16 rebounds to become the youngest player in WNBA history to have at least 20 points and 10 boards in a Finals game.
Both teams are seeking their first WNBA championship. Atlanta has played in three previous Finals but was swept in each appearance. Counting Saturday's Game 1, the Dream had lost all 10 previous Finals games.
Golden State, making its first trip to the Finals in just its second season, had won seven consecutive games at home, including five playoff contests.
The series will shift to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4. As the better seed, the Valkyries host Games 2 and 5 and, if necessary, 7 in a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
ESPN was courtside at Chase Center and provided live analysis throughout the game.
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Postgame analysis | Relive the action
(4) Atlanta Dream 79,
(2) Golden State Valkyries 65
How the Dream won Game 2: Defense continued to be the story as the Dream defeated the Valkyries to even the Finals at 1-1 with the series headed to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4.
Angel Reese (30 points, 16 rebounds) was dominant for the Dream as she became the youngest player in league history to post a 20-point, 10-rebound game in the Finals. She is just the fourth player in league history to have 30/10 in the Finals. Even though shots weren't falling for the Dream, they got to the free throw line with regularity and knocked them down. They were 30-for-35 from the charity stripe in a game they won by 14.
The third quarter was the biggest difference-maker as the Dream outscored the home team 21-9, including 12 points at the foul line.
Atlanta leaned on its defense once again and forced 19 turnovers and scored 24 points off of them. Allisha Gray finished with 18 points and Jordin Canada added 13 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Rhyne Howard continued to struggle offensively and scored just five on 2-for-7 shooting.
The basketball on the court wasn't particularly pretty as the Dream shot 33.9% and the Valkyries finished at 34.4%.
What the win means for Atlanta: The Dream have to be more than happy going home with the series split at 1-1 and getting a victory in the ear-splitting atmosphere that is Ballhalla. They were actually pretty close to going back to Atlanta with a 2-0 lead after being up late in the fourth quarter of Game 1.
Even in the loss, the Dream defense was stout through two games. The biggest question surrounding the Valkyries was whether they could generate enough offense to win a title. Atlanta has held them to their two lowest-scoring games of the playoffs.
Four-time All-Star Howard has yet to get going, so the Dream will certainly take a split with one of the league's best scorers struggling.
What changes do you expect in Game 3? Golden State has to be stronger with the basketball. For a team that doesn't put up a ton of points, the Valkyries can't have so many empty possessions from 19 turnovers. There hasn't been an answer for Reese in three of the four halves played thus far, so that should be high on the adjustment list for the Valkyries.
Atlanta has to find a way to get Howard going. Life is just exponentially harder when the league's No. 11 scorer shoots a combined 5-for-21 in the first two games. A little more from her in Game 1 and the Dream could be up 2-0. -- Kareem Copeland