The Golden State Valkyries moved to the brink of a championship in their second season, securing a 64-55 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday. Kiah Stokes paced the effort with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots, helping her team claim a 3-2 series lead. “I’d like to see it be a national holiday for all WNBA championship games so whatever somebody can do,” Dream coach Karl Smesko said. “I hope everybody gets to see it somehow and I know that for some people it’s not realistic, they have jobs and won’t be able to make it.
The defensive battle was defined by a historic low-scoring first half, with the teams combining for 25-22 at the break.
Both squads struggled to find a rhythm from beyond the arc, shooting a combined 5-for-29, including 3-for-16 from Golden State and 2-for-13 from Atlanta.
Coach Natalie Nakase successfully maintained her adjusted lineup featuring Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles, with Hayes contributing 12 points against her former team. On Saturday, Nakase had changed up her lineup for a 67-62 Game 4 win by inserting Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles into the starting five. According to hayes, who played 10 seasons for Atlanta and came out of retirement two years ago, had 12 points — and Nakase has, She wants to win it all for the veteran guard. The league announced Game 6 would be played at 17,000-seat State Farm Arena in Atlanta starting at 12:30 p.m, earlier Monday.
Key Game Performance Metrics
- Stokes Performance: 13 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
- Valkyries Scoring Leader: Stokes and Veronica Burton each tallied 13 points.
- Reese Contributions: Seven points, 15 rebounds, and five assists.
- Turnover Impact: Atlanta committed 17 turnovers, resulting in 21 Golden State points.
Angel Reese, despite a challenging shooting night, recorded seven points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. She faced adversity after being whistled for three offensive fouls. Meanwhile, leading scorer Gabby Williams struggled to find her touch, shooting 3-for-14 for nine points, though she provided a crucial three-point play late in the fourth quarter to push the Valkyries lead to 49-42. Reese shook her head when whistled for the second of her three offensive fouls with 7:43 to play. And it worked again, she stayed with those two Monday night. But she converted a three-point play with 9:08 remaining put the Valkyries ahead 49-42 and finished with nine points on 3-for-14 shooting and six rebounds, williams began 2 for 11 and missed all four of her three 3-point tries.
Stokes, who tied Lisa Leslie’s 2003 postseason record by recording at least three blocks in six consecutive games, drew rapturous chants of “Ki-ah!” from the home crowd at the Chase Center. Reflecting on the win, Stokes noted, “We appreciate you, we got one more.” The victory represents a major milestone for the expansion franchise, which owner Joe Lacob initially hoped would contend for a title within five years. Fans screamed and clapped thunder sticks following the final buzzer as Stokes spoke from the floor to chants of “MVP!”.
Upcoming Schedule and Coaching Comments
- Game 6 Details: Thursday at 12:30 p.m. EDT at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
- Potential Game 7: Scheduled to return to the Chase Center on Saturday.
- Coach Karl Smesko’s View: Expressed concern regarding the midday tip-off, suggesting it should ideally be a national holiday to ensure maximum viewership.
The series now shifts to Atlanta, where the Dream face elimination. Rhyne Howard attempted to keep the Dream within reach during the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 34-31 with a three-point play, but the Valkyries’ consistent execution on both ends of the floor ultimately secured the win.
Important Details
- Which ignited chants of “Ki-ah! Ki-ah!” from the crazed, rally-towel waving “Ballhalla” home crowd at Chase Center, stokes hit a key 3-pointer with 2:46 to go in the third quarter and another with 7:21 left in the game.
- But after that it was Stokes, Burton and the Valkyries coming up with all the crucial plays on both ends, rhyne Howard’s three-point play with 4:59 left in the third pulled Atlanta within 34-31.
