Angel Reese posts a third straight double-double as the Dream rout the Valkyries 97-71 for a 2-1 Finals lead

Angel Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds Wednesday night as the Atlanta Dream blew out the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Rhyne Howard added 16 points and Naz Hillmon scored 15 in front of a sellout crowd at State Farm Arena, where the Dream played their first home Finals game in 13 years. Atlanta is now two wins away from the first championship in franchise history.

Reese also had three assists and three steals. It was her third straight double-double of the series, making her the youngest player in WNBA Finals history to post three in a row. She has scored at least 15 points in a half in all three games.

The third quarter breaks it open again

The game was tied at 49 in the third quarter before Atlanta ran off eight straight points, four of them by Reese. Tiffany Hayes pulled Golden State within 59-55 on a layup, but the Dream closed the quarter by scoring 12 of the final 14 points.

Atlanta has owned the third quarter all series, outscoring Golden State 63-35 in those periods across the three games.

After shooting under 35% in each of the first two games, the Dream made 49.3% of their shots and hit nine 3-pointers, five of them from Hillmon and Reese combined. Their defense did the rest: 17 Golden State turnovers turned into 22 Atlanta points.

Howard became the first player in WNBA Finals history with five or more steals in back-to-back games. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 15 points and Hayes added 14.

What comes next

Before the game Reese said she was thrilled to play for more than 17,000 fans. "It's really good to be back home in front of our fans and to get 17,000 people here tonight," she said.

Game 4 is Saturday in Atlanta, which is also sold out. The series then shifts back to San Francisco for Game 5 on Monday. Both franchises are chasing their first WNBA title. Atlanta had been swept in all three of its earlier Finals trips, while Golden State is in only its second season.