Jordin Canada wasn't satisfied after Atlanta's first-ever WNBA Finals win: "The stats looks like I had a triple-double, but to me, I know I could have played a lot better." She pointed to forced shots, overthinking on defense and turnovers down the stretch.
Another poor shooting night didn't sink Atlanta in its first WNBA Finals win. Karl Smesko said his Game 1 fixes worked: Golden State got fewer second chances, and "even though we didn't shoot it great again, our shot quality was better, our pace was better."
"I think I let the team down last game by only getting 2 shot attempts. And that was on me." Angel Reese answered with 30 points and 16 rebounds in Atlanta's first-ever WNBA Finals win. Coach Karl Smesko gave her "a couple more breaks" to keep that intensity going.
Gabby Williams' late limp in Game 1 didn't hold her back in Game 2, Natalie Nakase said after the Valkyries' loss to Atlanta: "Oh, no. She was aggressive. Yeah, she was fine." Nakase said Williams just missed: "I thought her looks were the same as usual."
Janelle Salaun has accepted an adjusted playoff role for the Golden State Valkyries. Before Game 2, Natalie Nakase credited her maturity and selflessness: "Credit to her of understanding we've obviously made some adjustments... she's fresh, she's ready to go."
Tiffany Hayes is available for Game 2 after the hit she took in Game 1. "Everyone's good to go," Natalie Nakase said before the game, with 12 of 14 Valkyries available. Hayes nearly retired before joining her, Nakase said, and offered to come off the bench when they first met.
"Angel had a great first half. We didn't get her the ball enough." Dream coach Karl Smesko on Angel Reese after the Game 1 loss to Golden State. He said Atlanta drifted into too much one-on-one play in the second half instead of going back to her.
Laeticia Amihere took the second-half defensive assignment on Angel Reese in Golden State's Finals game against the Dream. Natalie Nakase said Amihere was key to the game plan: "LA had great energy." A matchup to watch for Reese's numbers next game.
Golden State's Natalie Nakase didn't commit on Tiffany Hayes after she went down hard late: "Tip's okay... I'll know when medical tells me." Nakase is adding film study "because I want to win this for Tip." Gabby Williams limped; Nakase gave no status: it's the player's call.