Golden State Valkyries win 64-55 to stand one victory from WNBA title

SAN FRANCISCO. The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 64-55 on Monday night at Chase Center to take a 3-2 lead in the WNBA Finals. The victory places the expansion franchise one win away from its first championship in the league's history.

Kiah Stokes anchored the Valkyries defense with three blocks and eight rebounds while scoring 13 points. Veronica Burton matched that scoring output and added four blocked shots to total eight rebounds. The duo controlled the interior, limiting Atlanta's scoring opportunities and disrupting shots throughout the contest.

The team's defensive focus limited Angel Reese to seven points in her final regular season appearance before a potential elimination game. Reese also recorded 15 rebounds and five assists. Her performance was a notable step back from the high levels she maintained in the first two games of the series.

Coach Natalie Nakase kept Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles in the starting lineup for the second consecutive game. Hayes, who previously played 10 seasons for Atlanta, scored 12 points. This lineup adjustment helped sustain the team's momentum after a low-scoring first half where both teams combined for just 47 points.

Gabby Williams struggled from the field, finishing with nine points on 3-for-14 shooting. She made a key three-point play with 9:08 remaining to put Golden State ahead 49-42. The team's collective effort offset her shooting difficulties as other players contributed points and defensive stops.

Stokes hit two key three-pointers in the third and fourth quarters, prompting loud chants from the 18,000-person sellout crowd. She has recorded at least three blocks in six straight postseason games, a streak that ties the record set by Lisa Leslie in 2003.

The Dream committed 17 turnovers, which resulted in 21 points for Golden State. Atlanta now travels home to face elimination in Game 6 on Thursday. That game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EDT at State Farm Arena, a time that may conflict with work schedules for fans on both coasts.