Dream beat Valkyries 97-71 in WNBA Finals Game 3 for 2-1 lead as teams again miss anthem
Photo: The GuardianThe Atlanta Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta to take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals. Angel Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Rhyne Howard scored 16 and Naz Hillmon 15. Gabby Williams led Golden State with 15 points and Tiffany Hayes added 14. With the score tied at 49 in the third quarter, Atlanta pulled away, and the Dream have outscored Golden State 63-35 in the third quarter across the series. Game 4 is Saturday in Atlanta.
Players from both teams again left the court shortly before the national anthem and returned after it, for the third straight game. Fox News said the league rulebook calls for players to stand and line up during the anthem. Vice President JD Vance called the protest disgraceful in an interview.
Left-leaning outlets, The Guardian and CNN, center on the game, Reese's performance and the Dream's dominance. Alternative outlets ESPN and Yahoo Sports also focus on the result, with Yahoo adding Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase's call for more fight and the team's sloppy play. Right-leaning outlets, the New York Post and Fox News, lead with the anthem absences. The Post features Vance and social media reaction, while Fox cites the rulebook and unanswered questions to the league and teams.
How the sides differ Left and alternative sources focus on Reese's play and the 97-71 game; right sources focus on both teams leaving the court during the anthem and Vance's criticism.
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The Guardian and CNN lead with Reese's strong game, the 26-point margin and Atlanta's third-quarter dominance, with CNN noting the crowd of more than 17,000.
ESPN and Yahoo Sports report the 97-71 result and series lead. Yahoo stresses Golden State's sloppy play and coach Natalie Nakase's pleas for more fight.
- Fox NewsAtlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries skip national anthem for third straight WNBA Finals game
The New York Post and Fox News lead with both teams leaving the court before the anthem. The Post quotes JD Vance and fans, while Fox cites the rulebook and unanswered league questions.