Atlanta Dream defeats Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3
Atlanta Dream beat Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3, with Angel Reese posting 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Event / Sports
WNBA Finals 2026
The 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries. In Game 3, the Dream won 97-71 to take a 2-1 series lead. Both teams left the court during the national anthem for the third straight Finals game, which the WNBA's 2026 rulebook requires players to stand for. As of Game 3, the WNBA, the teams and the NBA had not publicly explained the absences. Vice President JD Vance condemned the walkouts. Games 3 and 4 were sold out at State Farm Arena.
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2026-10-23 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 23 Oct, 02:52 UTC
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What happened
Game 3 of the WNBA Finals was moved from Gateway Center Arena to State Farm Arena
Game 3 was originally scheduled for Thursday at Gateway Center Arena, the Dream's usual home venue, which seats 3,500. The league moved the next two Finals games to State Farm Arena, which seats more than 17,000 fans.
Atlanta outscored Golden State 63-35 in third quarters across the first three Finals games
Across the first three games of the WNBA Finals, Atlanta outscored Golden State 63-35 combined in the third quarter.
Angel Reese recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals
Angel Reese scored 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Atlanta Dream in Game 3. Rhyne Howard added 16 points and Naz Hillmon scored 15 points for Atlanta.
Game 2 of the WNBA Finals averaged 1.33 million viewers on USA Network
The Game 2 broadcast on USA Network averaged 1.33 million viewers.
Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court during the national anthem before Game 3 of the WNBA Finals
Both teams jogged off the court seconds before the national anthem before Game 3 and returned moments after it concluded. It was the third straight Finals game in which both teams did not line up for the anthem.
WNBA rulebook requires players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up for the national anthem
The WNBA's 2026 official rulebook states that players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.
Enes Kanter Freedom was removed from Game 3 after declining a private suite offered for his protection
The Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena offered former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom a private suite for his protection during Game 3. He declined to sit in the suite and was removed from the game.
Atlanta Dream won Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, its first Finals victory in franchise history
The Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, marking the first WNBA Finals victory in Dream franchise history. Angel Reese recorded 30 points and 16 rebounds in that game.
Atlanta Dream defeated Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals
The Atlanta Dream defeated the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead in the series.
Game 1 of the WNBA Finals averaged 2.1 million viewers on NBC
The Game 1 broadcast on NBC averaged 2.1 million viewers, the most ever for a first game of the WNBA Finals.
The WNBA, both teams and the NBA had not answered questions about the anthem absences as of Game 3
As of Game 3, the WNBA, the Dream, the Valkyries and the NBA had not publicly answered questions about the anthem absences, including whether discipline or exemptions applied. The NBA did not respond to questions about its role in overseeing the WNBA anthem provision.
Game 3 at State Farm Arena was sold out and Game 4 is also sold out
Game 3 at State Farm Arena was sold out. Game 4, scheduled for Saturday at State Farm Arena, is also sold out.
Vance condemned the anthem walkouts as disgraceful and said players should show more gratitude
Vance publicly condemned the WNBA anthem walkouts as disgraceful and stated that players should show more gratitude.
Two seated people in a WNBA public relations area did not stand during the Game 3 anthem
Two people seated in an area designated for WNBA public relations staff remained seated during the Game 3 national anthem. When asked afterward, neither provided an explanation, and their identities and roles had not been confirmed.
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2 alternative perspectives
Atlanta Dream, Golden State Valkyries leave court during anthem before Game 3
Atlanta and Golden State left the court during the anthem before Game 3, and the league has not yet explained the absences.