Nobody is going to put Game 5 in a highlight package, but the Golden State Valkyries will not care. They beat the Atlanta Dream 64-55 at Chase Center on Monday night to take a 3-2 lead in the WNBA Finals. A team that did not exist two seasons ago is now one win away from a championship.
Defense Wins Again
For the second straight game, Golden State’s defense decided it. Atlanta shot 19 of 65 from the field, which is 29.2 percent, and 6 of 26 from three. The Valkyries blocked nine shots and forced 17 turnovers, and they turned those turnovers into 21 points. Atlanta scored six points off Golden State’s mistakes.
That is the whole game in one number. The Dream actually out-rebounded Golden State 52-37 and scored 19 second-chance points, and it still was not close at the end. Atlanta never led by more than one point.
The first half was a grind, and Golden State took a 25-22 lead into the break. The Valkyries won the third quarter 21-18 and the fourth 18-15, and they led by as many as 16.
Who Showed Up
Veronica Burton led Golden State with 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Kiah Stokes added 13 points and eight rebounds, made 3 of 4 from three and blocked three more shots, which gives her 17 in this series after she had already set the Finals record. Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes scored 12 each, and Gabby Williams had three steals.
For Atlanta, Rhyne Howard was the only one who found her shot, with 20 points on 7 of 15. Jordin Canada added 12. Angel Reese pulled down 15 rebounds, but she scored seven points on 2-of-8 shooting and was called for three offensive fouls. After the way she was held down in Game 4, I expected a big answer from her. Golden State did not let it happen.
My Pick
In my Game 5 preview, I picked the Valkyries 72-68 and said this one would be close. I had the right team. It was close for a half, but in the end Golden State’s defense made it comfortable.
The Series So Far
| Game | Date | Location | Result / Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sat., Oct. 17 | San Francisco | Valkyries 68, Dream 64 |
| Game 2 | Mon., Oct. 19 | San Francisco | Dream 79, Valkyries 65 |
| Game 3 | Wed., Oct. 21 | Atlanta | Dream 97, Valkyries 71 |
| Game 4 | Sat., Oct. 24 | Atlanta | Valkyries 67, Dream 62 |
| Game 5 | Mon., Oct. 26 | San Francisco | Valkyries 64, Dream 55 |
| Game 6 | Thu., Oct. 29 | Atlanta | 12:30 p.m. ET, USA |
| Game 7* | Sat., Oct. 31 | San Francisco | 8 p.m. ET |
*If necessary
Up Next
Game 6 is Thursday at State Farm Arena, and the league has moved it to a 12:30 p.m. ET tip. Golden State can win the first championship in franchise history. Atlanta has to win to force a Game 7 back in San Francisco on Saturday, and the Dream have already shown in this series that they can bounce back after a loss.
I will be in the building on Thursday, and I will have my own photos from the arena in the Game 6 recap. Atlanta needs a big crowd behind it. I am ready for Game 6.
Featured photo: Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries by John Mac, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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