One Win Away of the 2026 WNBA Title: Valkyries Beat Dream 64-55

Summary:

• Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton scored 13 points apiece as Golden State beat Atlanta 64-55 in Game 5.
• Angel Reese recorded seven points, 15 rebounds and five assists, while Atlanta’s 17 turnovers proved costly.
• The Valkyries can clinch the WNBA title in Game 6 on Thursday.

The Golden State Valkyries are closer to a 2026 WNBA championship than ever after defeating the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5 of the Finals on Monday night. Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton led the way at Chase Center.

Stokes finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while Burton also scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The Valkyries now have a chance to secure the title in Atlanta on Thursday, just their second season as an expansion franchise.

With leading scorer Gabby Williams struggling to find her rhythm, Golden State relied on contributions across the lineup. Williams made just three of 14 shots for nine points, but her one-point play with 9:08 remaining helped the Valkyries take a 49-42 lead.

Stokes offered yet another decisive boost, hitting two key three-pointers, including one with only 7:21 left in the game.
The home crowd was quick to respond with chants of her name as Golden State tightened its grip on the contest.

After the final buzzer, fans celebrated as Kiah Stokes addressed the crowd amid chants of “MVP!” “We appreciate you” she said with a smile. “We got one more”.

Angel Reese had a difficult night by her standards, finishing with seven points, 15 rebounds and five assists. That was a quieter offensive performance than her standout displays in the first two games of the series.

She also picked up three offensive fouls, shaking her head after being called for the second with 7:43 remaining.

Golden State coach Natalie Nakase kept the lineup changes that helped secure Saturday’s 67-62 victory in Game 4.

Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles stayed in the starting five, and it was a call that once again proved to pay off. Hayes, who spent 10 seasons with Atlanta before coming out of retirement two years ago, scored 12 points.

The Valkyries’ defense also made a big difference. Atlanta committed 17 turnovers, which Golden State turned into 21 points.

The teams struggled to score early, combining for just five successful three-pointers on 29 attempts in the first half. Their combined 47 points before halftime marked the lowest-scoring first half in WNBA Finals history.

Atlanta briefly threatened to take control in the third quarter, with Rhyne Howard’s three-point play cutting the deficit to 34-31. Golden State responded with timely plays at both ends of the floor and pulled away in the second half.

The Dream must now win Game 6 at State Farm Arena on Thursday to keep their championship hopes alive and force a deciding seventh game back in San Francisco on Saturday.

The WNBA has scheduled Thursday’s game for 12:30 p.m. Eastern time, a start that could make it difficult for some fans to watch during the working day.

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko said he hoped as many people as possible would find a way to watch, while acknowledging that the timing would be inconvenient for some.

For Golden State, the opportunity is remarkable. Owner Joe Lacob pledged to deliver a championship within five years when the franchise was awarded to the Bay Area three years ago. Now, the Valkyries are one victory from delivering a title far sooner than that timeline.

Can the Valkyries seal the title this Thursday or will be have a final twist and take it to the final game? Get the best odds from selected US sportsbooks.