Golden State Valkryies have moved to within one win of winning their WNBA Finals series of Atlanta Dream, after Kiah Stokes led her side to a 65-55 win against Atlanta Dream in Game 5; watch the WNBA Finals live on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 27/10/26 8:08am
Kiah Stokes starred as Golden State Valkyries beat Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals
Kiah Stokes starred as the Golden State Valkyries moved to within one victory of a championship in their second season, as they sealed a 64-55 win against Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night.
Back-to-back wins have seen the Valkyries, who had gone 2-1 down in the WNBA Finals series, take a 3-2 lead into Game 6 on Friday.
Stokes had 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while team-mate Veronica Burton contributed a nearly identical stat line with 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots as Golden State got defensive once more to shut down Angel Reese and the Dream.
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The Valkyries have leaned on Stokes' steady presence and postseason experience during this remarkable run.
"We're not here without Kiah," Burton said. "Every single day, every single game, from the beginning. Just her veteran experience as well. It's more than just defense."
Reese finished with seven points, 15 rebounds and five assists, a big difference from her two standout performances in the first two games of the series at Chase Center.
"I still believe in our team, I still believe we can win this," Reese said.
Golden State's leading scorer Gabby Williams began two for 11 and missed all four of her three three-point attempts, but she converted a three-point play with 9:08 remaining to put the Valkyries ahead 49-42 and finished with nine points on three-for-14 shooting and six rebounds.
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On Saturday, Natalie Nakase changed up her lineup for the Valkyries' 67-62 Game 4 win, inserting Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles into the starting five. She stayed with those two Monday night, and it worked again. Hayes, who played 10 seasons for Atlanta and came out of retirement two years ago, had 12 points - and Nakase has said she wants to win it all for the veteran guard.
After what was the lowest-scoring first-half combined score in WNBA Finals history, with the Valkyries taking a 25-22 lead into the break, Golden State bounced back with a dominant second half.
Rhyne Howard's three-point play with 4:59 left in the third pulled Atlanta within 34-31, but after that it was Stokes, Burton and the Valkyries coming up with all the crucial plays on both ends.
Stokes hit a key 3-pointer with 2:46 to go in the third quarter and another with 7:21 left in the game, igniting chants of "Ki-ah! Ki-ah!" from the sellout crowd at Chase Center.
"It feels pretty special," she said. "I always know what I brought to a team, I always understood my value but just to hear an arena full of 18,000 fans, it just really makes me feel appreciated and loved."
She has recorded three or more blocks in six straight games, tying her with Lisa Leslie in 2003 for the longest such streak in a single WNBA postseason.
Atlanta will now try to stave off elimination at home Thursday in Game 6 and force a deciding Game 7 at Chase Center on Saturday.
Watch Game 6 of the WNBA Finals live on Sky Sports from 12am on Friday, October 30. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.