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The Atlanta Dream built its early season identity on fourth quarter comebacks. Today, Golden State took that identity and used it against them. The Valkyries won the final period 31 to 24 on the way to an 88-83 victory. The result completed a season sweep and handed Atlanta a fifth straight loss at Gateway Center Arena.
How Golden State closed the show
Veronica Burton led the Valkyries with 21 points on 6 of 9 shooting. She also hit 7 of 8 free throws. Meanwhile, Gabby Williams scored 14 of her 19 points in the second half and buried four 3 pointers. Off the bench, Janelle Salaun added 14 points with three 3s of her own. Golden State (14-7) also swiped a season high 15 steals while winning its fourth straight game.
The game itself swung constantly. It featured 22 lead changes and 14 ties. Golden State raced to a 12-2 lead, yet Atlanta answered with an 11-0 run to erase it. Later, Angel Reese scored five straight points to put the Dream up 77-74 with just over three minutes left. Then the Valkyries delivered the decisive blow. Williams converted a three point play and Burton hit a go ahead jumper. Kaila Charles then drilled a 3 to cap an 8-0 run. Golden State never trailed again over the final 98 seconds.
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The chances Atlanta left at the line
Atlanta (12-9) had every opportunity to change the ending. The Dream missed 10 of 33 free throws overall and 4 of 17 in the fourth quarter alone. Reese took no comfort in excuses afterward. She said the team simply has to shoot better and put in the work until it does. Head coach Karl Smesko saw a thinner margin. In his view, the difference comes down to a play here and a call there. Cold shooting, he added, keeps forcing the team to chase games late.
The drama held until the last possession. Rhyne Howard completed a three point play to pull Atlanta within 82-80 with under a minute left. However, Williams answered with a jumper, and Burton sank two free throws after a Reese foul. Howard then hit a deep 3 with 14 seconds left, and Allisha Gray forced a turnover on the inbounds pass. Atlanta got the ball back to Howard, but her 3 missed. Charles grabbed the rebound, drew a foul and iced the game at the line.
Gray finished with 22 points to lead the Dream. Howard scored 19, while Reese added 17 points and 13 rebounds for her 14th double double of the season. Madina Okot chipped in 11 off the bench.
Atlanta insists the sky is not falling
The loss opened an 0-4 road trip on a sour note, and the fourth quarter trend stings most. Atlanta has still outscored opponents 506 to 421 in fourth quarters this season. Yet opponents have won that period in four of the five straight losses. Reese made clear the team is not shaken. She said any team ahead of Atlanta should worry. The Dream plan to watch film, stick together and figure things out, she added.
Both teams turn around fast. Golden State visits the Washington Mystics on Monday. Atlanta hosts the Seattle Storm on Thursday, the first of five games before the All Star break.
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