One step closer.

Another dominant third quarter and another great game by Angel Reese propelled the Atlanta Dream to a 97-71 victory over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday at State Farm Arena.

Atlanta leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1. Game 4 will be Saturday in Atlanta.

As it did in Game 2 when it ended the third with a 13-2 run, Atlanta used a 12-2 run to end Game 3’s third and built a 14-point lead heading into the fourth, which ended with another blowout in front of a fired-up, sold-out crowd.

“Our fans showed up in every single possession,” Reese said. “I thought Ballhalla was loud, but Atlanta, y’all came out … Saturday, y’all better run it back.”

Reese again led Atlanta with 21 points and 12 rebounds. She became the youngest player in league history to post double-doubles in three consecutive Finals games.  She also became the youngest player to score at least 20 and grab at least 10 rebounds in consecutive Finals games.

“Angel shows up in every game,” Naz Hillmon said. “She brings her teammates along, and that’s exactly what happened today.”

Rhyne Howard became the first player in league history to have at least five steals in consecutive Finals games. She also had 16 points. Hillmon added 15 points, Izzy Borlase 12, and Jordin Canada 10 with eight assists.

Atlanta’s defense limited Golden State to 34.8% shooting and forced 17 turnovers that it turned into 22 points. Atlanta’s offense shot 49%.

The Dream played suffocating defense in the first quarter. Golden State’s first points didn’t come until it hit a free throw at 5:07. Atlanta led 23-15 at the end of the quarter.

Atlanta led 46-40 at halftime in a tight defensive battle.

Golden State came out hot and tied the game at 49 with 7:45 remaining in the third.

Atlanta Head Coach Karl Smesko said he almost called a timeout. But he saw the players talking about what they were doing wrong and how to fix it.

The Dream answered with an 8-0 run, capped by a Reese defensive rebound and end-to-end layup, which caused the sold-out crowd to erupt.

The lead grew to eight and was cut to four before the Dream went on a 5-0 run that included two 3-pointers from DeWanna Bonner and a layup by Borlase to push its lead to 66-55 with 2:07 left in the third. Blocks by Borlase and Howard on consecutive possessions during the run again ignited the crowd.

“We want to be the best third quarter team coming out at halftime because I think that takes their confidence,” Reese said. “It puts them away.”

The solid defense continued.

A charge drawn by Canada resulted in Golden State Head Coach Natalie Nakase protesting enough to receive a technical foul. Canada made the free throw to increase the Dream’s lead to 69-57. The quarter ended with Atlanta leading 71-57.

“We didn't start great in the third quarter, at all, but we definitely finished it well,” Reese said.

Two Howard free throws after she was fouled following a steal and going for a layup gave the Dream an 80-60 lead in the fourth.

“We’re only halfway home,” Smesko said. “We have two wins. We need two more.”