The Golden State Valkyries hosted the Atlanta in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday with both teams looking to win a pivotal game that leave them needing one game to win the championship. After successful changes to get the win in the last game, the Valkyries had the same approach to this game and were able to impose their style on proceedings. They were able to maintain the lead in the second half and stretched it out late for a more comfortable final 64-55 margin. The teams now travel back to Atlanta for the next game on Thursday with the Dream facing elimination at home.
The Lineup
The Valkyries kept their changes to the starting lineup for the last game and continued to have the tighter rotation. Kaitlyn Chen did come in for a few minutes at backup point guard, but only seven players played otherwise. Atlanta mostly stuck with the same seven players, but they did briefly play Madina Okot in the first half again. They also gave a few minutes to Te-Hina Paopao to possibly manage foul trouble while also perhaps seeing if they should also play her in the next game.
First Quarter
Both teams missed their first shots before Kiah Stokes opened the scoring after an offensive rebound led to a pass to her in the paint where she could score over a shorter defender. Veronica Burton scored next with a sweeping finish on a layup, but Atlanta did score two baskets while the Valkyries went cold for over three minutes. Stokes struck again when her defender had to slide over to stop Gabby Williams, who got fouled making a mid-range jumpshot on the next possession, but missed the free throw after the media timeout.
Atlanta eventually tied the score at the free throw line as both teams turned to their benches, but Veronica Burton attacked her defender off of the dribble and earned a pair of free throws. Kayla Thornton made the first three-pointer after being left open on the wing, which the Dream responded to with a three-point play, taking the 14-13 lead at the end of the quarter with their own long-range make.
Second Quarter
Veronica Burton opened the scoring in this quarter by driving to set up a mid-range jumper and then made a three-pointer trailing the play after a steal. Atlanta scored next, but Tiffany Hayes made a difficult layup for her first basket and Cecilia Zandalasini was able to get an open driving lane for her first score. The Dream were able to get within a point again even with their offensive struggles as two baskets came while the Valkyries went nearly five minutes without scoring. Zandalasini’s three-pointer when she was given space in the corner was the only Golden State basket and an Atlanta free throw left them trailing 25-22.
Third Quarter
Atlanta struck first, but Kaila Charles responded by setting up her own jumpshot after getting the right defensive matchup. Kiah Stokes made a three-pointer from the corner and a Tiffany Hayes layup led to a Dream timeout. They did score when action resumed, but Hayes answered with another tough finish. The game had a long stoppage after she drew an offensive foul as the officials went to replay review to see if the foul needed to be upgraded. After that did not happen, Atlanta challenged the foul itself, which ended up being unsuccessful.
Atlanta scored twice, getting to add a free throw when they were fouled during rebounding for a shot that was ultimately made. Cecilia Zandalasini returned and made a fastbreak layup. The Dream got back to the foul line only to be answered by Gabby Williams scoring on the drive. It was Stokes’s turn to respond next when Atlanta made a three-pointer before leaving her open at the top of the key. Dream free throws were followed by Zandalasini splitting a pair and then she extended the lead with a baseline jumper. Atlanta scored again with time winding down, but Veronica Burton’s layup well before the buzzer made it a 46-40 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Atlanta made another push with the first basket of the quarter, but Gabby Williams was able to get a three-point play by attacking the rim before the defense could get set. Both teams had some misses before another open Kiah Stokes three-pointer from the corner made it a double-digit margin. The Dream responded before Veronica Burton got fouled making another shot, missing the free throw. Both teams had some quiet minutes as Cecilia Zandalasini drove in to make space for a turnaround jumper for herself.
Atlanta’s drought ended at three minutes after the Valkyries unsuccessfully challenged a foul call on Veronica Burton, leading to free throws. Tiffany Hayes responded with a layup after the Dream started trapping to try to force turnovers. She continued to get the ball down the stretch, getting fouled twice and making all of the free throws for the biggest lead of the game. Atlanta did suddenly make a pair of three-pointers and there was a tricky moment when the Valkyries had to use two timeouts to avoid a turnover. Williams was fouled to extend the game and made both free throws and then the Dream made one more three-pointer to lead to the final 64-55 margin.
Player of the Game
The award goes to Kiah Stokes in the latest game of an excellent postseason for her. The last two matchups have called for her to be able to play as many minutes as possible and she has responded by anchoring the defense and allowing the rest of the team take up their responsibilities on that end. She has continued to block shots as both the primary and help defender as well in this series. Most of her scoring has been opportunistic and come from either having a shorter defender on her in the post or getting open when her defender is trying to contain a driver, but successfully stretching the floor in this game just made it even harder for Atlanta.
The Verdict
The Valkyries were able to turn things around in the last game and play even more to their style in this game to win again. It was a great team win where all of the rotation players had big moments and played their roles as designed. They are now a game away from the championship, but will know that Atlanta is going to go all-out to avoid elimination in the next game so they will need to match that intensity from the start of the game.
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