--- title: "Valkyries Suffer First Playoff Loss on Home Court" url: https://newscentral.site/valkyries-suffer-first-playoff-loss-on-home-court/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Sports" published: 2026-10-20T06:06:24.000Z updated: 2026-10-20T08:43:47.726Z id: 0236816e-4b88-4416-8ae4-14b83e72c122 source: "Yahoo Sports https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dream-valkyries-reality-check-wnba-060624367.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/valkyries-suffer-first-playoff-loss-on-home-court/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Valkyries Suffer First Playoff Loss on Home Court The Atlanta Dream took Game 2 of the WNBA Finals series against the Golden State Valkyries, winning 79-65. The Atlanta Dream has levelled the WNBA Finals series by taking Game 2 against the Golden State Valkyries, winning 79-65 on the Valkyries' home court at Chase Center in San Francisco. This victory marks the first playoff loss for the Valkyries at their own arena, Ballhalla, which was supposed to give them an edge over their opponents. The Dream's success has now given them home-court advantage as the series moves forward. The head coach of the Valkyries, Natalie Nakase, acknowledged the team's frustration with this loss. She emphasized that defense is a key part of the team's identity and hinted at a need for improvement in this area. The Dream managed to stay composed under pressure from the crowd noise and the big stage, outperforming their opponents despite a tight score through the first half. The Valkyries' usual flair for late-game heroics was noticeably absent as they struggled to close the gap against their opponents. The usually reliable fourth-quarter magic of Gabby Williams failed to materialize, and the team's signature ferocious defense was nowhere to be seen as the game wore on. Atlanta took full advantage of the Valkyries' lapses, converting 24 points from the 19 turnovers they forced, while also dominating the rebounding battle and limiting their opponents to zero fast break points. The Dream's aggressive play and ability to get to the free throw line often proved too much for the Valkyries, with Atlanta making 30 of their 35 attempts. The Dream's victory over the Valkyries in Game 2 has thrown a wrench into the series, making it more competitive than initially anticipated. The Valkyries' usually reliable defense was breached on multiple occasions, allowing the Dream to capitalize on their momentum. One of the key issues for the Valkyries was their inability to contain Angel Reese, who had been relatively quiet in Game 1. However, she made up for lost time in Game 2, dominating the court with her signature energy and playmaking ability. Her performance sent a clear message to her teammates that they cannot afford to let her down. Reese's own words after the game highlighted her frustration at not being able to contribute more in Game 1. She expressed her determination to make amends and lead her team to victory, which she ultimately did with a standout double-double of 30 points and 16 rebounds. Her presence on the court was instrumental in energizing her teammates and driving their offense. Reese's impact extended beyond her individual statistics, as she brought an infectious enthusiasm to the game that inspired her teammates to raise their level of play. The Valkyries will need to find a way to counter Reese's dominance if they hope to regain control of the series. The Valkyries will face a daunting task in Atlanta as they prepare to take on the Dream in Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals. The change of venue from a smaller gym to State Farm Arena has increased the capacity by over fivefold, with 17,000 seats now available for each game. This shift is likely to give the Dream an even more energetic home crowd, as they were initially scheduled to play in a much smaller setting. With some of the upper deck tarped off in their earlier playoff games at State Farm Arena, the team will now have access to a larger and more raucous environment. The increased capacity has also raised questions about how many Valkyries fans will make the trip to Atlanta for the games. The Dream's home crowd is expected to be particularly enthusiastic, especially following their gritty win on Monday and Reese's standout performance. The presence of notable NBA players in the crowd added to the electric atmosphere at the game. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Yaxel Lendeborg from the Warriors were among those in attendance, providing a glimpse into the growing connection between the WNBA and NBA communities. Former Warrior Chris Paul was also spotted in the crowd, having formed a close bond with Valkyries coach Nakase during her time as an assistant coach with the Clippers. Paul shared some valuable advice with Nakase, emphasizing the importance of maintaining player confidence throughout the playoffs. The game has officially become a series now, marking the beginning of a intense battle between the two teams. With highs and lows sure to follow, coaches will need to be prepared to support their players through every moment of the competition. --- Source: [Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dream-valkyries-reality-check-wnba-060624367.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/valkyries-suffer-first-playoff-loss-on-home-court/