Angel Reese and Atlanta Dream help WNBA Finals make history

The Atlanta Dream's impressive postseason run is getting lots of viewership, and the latest numbers prove that fans are paying attention. Even before the franchise gets a shot at its first WNBA title, Angel Reese the team has helped the league hit a major viewership milestone.

Saturday's showdown with the Golden State Valkyries averaged 2.1 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, according to figures released Wednesday by NBC Sports. No opening game in WNBA Finals history has ever drawn a larger audience, according to NBC.

The matchup also outperformed last year's Finals opener by 11 percent, with the audience reaching 3 million as the contest neared its conclusion. Golden State ultimately came away with a 68-64 victory, but the broadcast still made history.

The Atlanta Dream and Angel Reese are taking a big step forward

For Atlanta, the moment marks another huge step forward. The Dream hadn't reached the Finals since 2013, and their return has been fueled by Reese, a social media sensation with more than 5 million Instagram followers alone, and a roster that's helped transform the team's fortunes. Now, that comeback story is drawing a massive audience, too.

Viewership numbers aren't in for Game 2 or Game 3 yet, but there's no reason to think this trend won't continue. The Dream won both of those matchups.

The Dream would notch its first WNBA championship with two more wins, and that's not lost on Reese.

"Y'all not taking this from us, and that's in my heart," Reese said after Game 3, according to ESPN. "Like, I'm not letting you take this from us. I think [that confidence] becomes contagious within the team. They feel that confidence too."

Atlanta is back at it against Golden State on Saturday. The WNBA Finals are a best-of-seven series.