Earlier than Sport 3 of the WNBA Finals, Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase promised it will her crew’s greatest struggle.
As a substitute, the Atlanta Dream blew out the Valkyries, 97-71, behind a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double from Angel Reese at State Farm Area in Atlanta on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The Dream lead the collection 2-1 with Sport 4 set for Saturday, Oct. 24.
Commercial
“Typically guarantees aren’t stored,” Nakase mentioned postgame. “(It isn’t that) they do not need it they usually do not need to struggle. It is simply generally, it is like how can we be sure we are able to do all of it collectively? There’s generally particular person punches and a few individuals with nice spurts and a few individuals with nice vitality.
“Nevertheless it’s like how can we do all of it collectively, growth, punch collectively?”
Sport 3 wasn’t a promising outing for Golden State, led by Gabby Williams’ 15 factors on 5-for-18 taking pictures. Tiffany Hayes added 14 factors and Janelle Salaün 13 factors. Cecilia Zandalasini added 13 factors, tying her profession playoff excessive for 3s made with 4. It wasn’t sufficient.
Extra: Angel Reese made Atlanta Dream flip up the warmth, and Golden State burned | Opinion
“We have been a bit undisciplined,” Williams mentioned.
Commercial
Hayes echoed the sentiment: “This sport they wished it greater than us. That is not who we’re, that is not who we have been and that is not how we acquired right here. I feel we acquired to get a bit bit extra that (self-discipline) in our tank.”
Nakase’s message to the crew after the sport: It is nonetheless an extended collection. The Valkyries will look inward following back-to-back losses, trailing in a collection for the primary time this postseason.
Essentially the most obvious challenge was the shortage of vitality, not simply offensive manufacturing. The Valkyries as a crew have been flat out punked. They have been bullied within the paint as Atlanta outscored Golden State, 44-20. The Dream are additionally dominating in transition, up 43-11 in quick break eventualities within the collection.
Extra: Angel Reese (once more), Valkyries’ turnovers amongst WNBA Finals winners and losers
Commercial
“They did play as onerous as they might,” Nakase mentioned of her crew. “I feel there was plenty of emptying the tank mentality. I assumed the third quarter was one other degree. They got here out the gates actually, actually onerous. Sadly, in case you flip the ball over, Atlanta’s going to make you pay.”
Golden State has turned the ball over typically all collection lengthy. In Sport 3 they dedicated 17 turnovers, conceding 22 factors.
Their id is protection. Three gamers have been named to the 2026 WNBA all-defensive crew: Kiah Stokes, Veronica Burton and Williams. Now, the Valkyries have to seek out some spark on offense.
In three consecutive video games now, Golden State has been held to 72 factors or much less whereas taking pictures 35% or much less on discipline targets. By comparability, they’ve averaged almost 82 factors per sport through the postseason.
Commercial
“Typically photographs do not fall. We do not prefer to make it about offense. They scored 97 factors. We have now no likelihood (in the event that they proceed that),” Williams mentioned. “We simply need to again to our protection and that may get our offense going.”
If something goes to alter for Golden State as they prep for Sport 4, it may have to return on the offensive finish. The Valkyries have gotten to seek out methods to create straightforward, high-percentage scoring alternatives. Most significantly, they’ve to guard the ball.
“We acquired actually free with the ball. Very uncharacteristic of us. We acquired to get again to who we’re,” Hayes mentioned. “If they convey strain, we’ve to remain collectively (and) not get flustered and simply giving the ball up.”
The true job is figuring out who else generally is a constant scorer for Golden State. If Williams has a chilly taking pictures evening, the Valkyries are compelled to discover a constant secondary scorer to tempo the crew. They consider in energy in numbers, so anybody is might step up at any level.
Commercial
Sport 4 of the 2026 WNBA Finals suggestions off on Saturday, Oct. 24 at State Farm Area (1 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock). The Dream lead the collection 2-1. Groups up 2-1 in all-time Finals (in a best-of-five-or-more collection) are 9-4 within the collection all time.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Dream bullied Valkyries in Sport 3. How does Golden State reply?