Angel Reese had 30 points and 16 rebounds, Jordin Canada overcame a tough shooting night to have a double-double, and the Atlanta Dream routed the Golden State Valkyries 79-65 in Game 2 to even the WNBA Finals at one game apiece.

Reese didn’t make much of an impact on Atlanta’s Game 1 loss on Saturday, but she scored the first basket on Monday, setting the tone for the most important game of her professional career.

Reese was 10 of 16 from the field and made 9 of her 11 free throw attempts. She also added three assists, two blocked shots and a steal as the series shifts to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Canada was just 3 for 14 from the field, but she finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Allisha Gray added 18 points for the Dream.

After Atlanta was suffocated by the Valkyries’ swarming defence in Game 1, the team emphasised pace. In a Game 2 in which both teams shot under 35% from the field, the Dream’s 19-0 advantage in fast-break points made the difference.

Golden State carried a slight lead for most of the first half, but Atlanta closed the second quarter on a 12-4 run to lead 39-37 at half-time.

The Dream opened up an insurmountable lead with a dominant 24-4 run that spanned the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth.

Gabby Williams, who had 26 points in Golden State’s Game 1 victory, was held to 14 points on 3-of-15 shooting on Monday. Veronica Burton was the only other Valkyries' starter in double figures with 11 points.