WASHINGTON (AP) — How starved are the fans in Washington for watchable basketball?
Anthony Davis got an “MVP” chant before the first quarter was even over.
The star big man thrilled a newly hopeful crowd, scoring 34 points with 12 rebounds in his debut for the Wizards and leading them to a 128-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. Washington acquired Trae Young and Davis last season, but the latter was injured and didn't play at all after being traded.
“Been nine months since I played a real game,” Davis said. “I had so much fun tonight. A lot of emotion, a lot of energy.”
Washington was without top overall draft pick AJ Dybantsa because of an ankle injury, but the fans were still plenty excited to see Davis. A flurry of activity in the first quarter drew the first “MVP” chant, and the crowd may have been even louder as Davis helped keep the Wizards in the game in the third.
Washington was held back most of the night by poor perimeter shooting, but a 21-2 run early in the fourth quarter enabled the Wizards to take control. Young finished with 20 points and 13 assists.
Young played a few games with Washington last season, but not with Davis.
“I want to help him get the MVP,” Young said. “Nights like tonight, and we continue to win games, he's going to be in the conversation.”
Washington fans would probably settle for a competitive team after the Wizards won 50 games total over the past three seasons.
A big crowd on opening night didn't seem like a big surprise to Davis, but it was something this team doesn't take for granted.
“Some guys on our team who has been here for a little bit was like, ‘We haven’t had this in a little bit,'" Davis said.
The warm welcome came with Davis' future in Washington still uncertain. He can become a free agent after this season and could fetch the Wizards a significant return in a trade.
For now, though, he can clearly help Washington win. And he's appreciated.
“The crowd was great. They were into it,” Davis said. “They got us over the hump.”
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
Washington Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis is introduced before an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis (23) throws out a mini basketball to the crowd after an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis (23) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks center Kel'el Ware (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
ATLANTA (AP) — Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are halfway toward their ultimate goal of winning the franchise's first WNBA championship.
They know there is still work to do. But with a huge Atlanta crowd behind them and Reese dominating the last two games, there's reason to believe in a team that never even had a WNBA Finals win until this series.
Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds to help the Dream beat the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 on Wednesday night and take a 2-1 lead. It was the second straight strong game for Reese, who had 30 points and 16 rebounds in Game 2, which the Dream also won for their first victory ever in the championship round. She has a double-double in each game of the finals.
“It feels good when you’re in the finals. It’s a long season and you play against everybody and go through and push through, but when you can do it at the highest level, this is what you live for, this is what the offseason is for," Reese said. "I put the work in for this moment and I’m just happy I could lead the team to a win. We’re feeling good going into Saturday.”
That game will also be played at State Farm Arena. Both games in Atlanta were originally set for the Gateway Center Arena, where the Dream play most of their home games. The league was able to work with the Atlanta Hawks to play Games 3 and 4 there so that they could have a much bigger crowd. Gateway only seats 3,500. State Farm Arena can seat more than 17,000 fans.
And they made a difference.
“Protect home court,” Atlanta's Rhyne Howard said. “Giving our fans a show. We fought for this arena so we had to protect it. It’s big. We went and stole one but we can’t let them come in and do the same thing.”
With the game tied at 49 in the third quarter, Atlanta scored eight straight, including four by Reese. Golden State got within 59-55 on Tiffany Hayes’ layup, but could get no closer as Atlanta closed the quarter scoring 12 of the final 14 points.
“I’m most proud of the second half because the first few possessions were a little sloppy. I was really close to using a timeout. They pulled together on their own and got it worked out, cleaned it up themselves,” Atlanta coach Karl Smesko said. “They knew what mistakes they were making, and they huddled up. And then they started making plays, and it started. The crowd started getting behind it.”
Atlanta has dominated the third quarter so far in the series, outscoring Golden State 63-35 combined in the three games.
With Atlanta up 17 in the fourth quarter, Jordin Canada overthrew Reese on the break, but she saved the ball by throwing it over her head underneath the basket to Howard, who got fouled.
Golden State could never recover. Gabby Williams scored 15 points and Hayes added 14 for the Valkyries.
“Disappointed in our fight. This game they wanted it more than us,” Hayes said. “That’s not who we are, who we’ve been and how we got here.”
Wednesday night’s game was sold out as is Game 4 on Saturday. The crowd included many music stars, including Ludacris. Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom said he was going to be at the game. The Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena offered him a private suite for his protection. He refused to sit in it and was left the arena.
The game got off to a slow start as Atlanta led 9-1 after the first five minutes. Golden State missed its first eight shots before Aminata Gueye scored the first basket for the Valkyries with 4:39 left. They got within 13-10 before Hillmon hit consecutive 3-pointers and then Reese hit one. The Dream led 23-15 after the opening quarter.
The hot 3-point shooting continued in the second quarter as Atlanta built its lead to 37-26 midway through the period. Golden State was able to hang around and only trailed 46-40 at the break as the teams combined to shoot 15-for-31 (48%) from behind the arc. That was more made 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes then in either Game 1 or Game 2.
Reese had 15 points and WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Janelle Salaun had 11 for the Valkyries.
Game 1 and 2 had huge ratings with the opener on NBC averaging 2.1 million, the most ever to watch a first game of the Finals. Game 2, which was broadcast on USA Network, averaged 1.33 million viewers.
See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) is defended by Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) during the second half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün (13) reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Golden State Valkyries center Aminata Gueye, left, and Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) compete for possession of the ball during the second half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) reacts after scoring during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) celebrates scoring during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
