Angel Reese's 4-word message makes Valkyries' WNBA Finals reality clear

1 week ago 15

It started early for Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream.

To begin Game 3 at a raucous State Farm Arena in Atlanta, the Dream held the Golden State Valkyries without a point for more than half of the opening quarter. Though the Valkyries would keep it close and rally to tie the game with a strong start to the third quarter, the Dream would pull away again, as an inspired Reese led Atlanta to a 97-71 victory on Wednesday night.

After a tight Game 1 loss in San Francisco, Reese pledged to be more aggressive and get downhill against the Valkyries' lauded defense. She has done just that, building a Finals MVP-worthy resume with three successive double-doubles.

MORE: Angel Reese sends Valkyries message after WNBA Finals Game 3 blowout win

But even Reese has accrued 51 points and 28 rebounds in Games 2 and 3, it is her attitude as well as her counting stats that is putting Golden State at a disadvantage.

Midway through the second quarter of Game 3, Reese took a pass at the top of the key from Jordin Canada and found herself isolated against Golden State big Aminata Gueye.

It seems Reese has made it her personal mission to disrupt Gueye; the two have jawed back and forth throughout the series so far. After Reese attacked the paint and bullied Gueye out of the way for a layup, she backpedaled to her spot on defense while yelling "you can't guard me" at the rookie center with all of seven games' experience in the WNBA.

Angel Reese: "You can't guard me! You can't guard me!" Kate Scott has the WNBA Finals Game 3 play-by-play call for NBC Sports. 🏀🎙️ https://t.co/mj63IgWXzy

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 22, 2026

It speaks to how Reese is taking it upon herself to set the tone and bully the Valkyries at every opportunity -- even from the bench in a 25-point game.

The intensity is defining this series but tilting it in Atlanta's favor after three games. Golden State has to find a way to slow down Reese and the Dream's runaway train in Game 4 to even the series.

Otherwise, Atlanta will head out west with a chance to close out the Finals -- and its first-ever WNBA title -- next week.