Golden State Valkyries Close In on First WNBA Title

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 27, 2026

The Golden State Valkyries took a 3-2 lead in the WNBA Finals by defeating the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5, putting them one win away from their first championship. Game 6 will be played Thursday on Atlanta's home court, where the Dream can extend the series or the Valkyries can clinch the title.

The Golden State Valkyries are one victory away from securing their first WNBA championship in just their second season after defeating the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night in San Francisco. The victory puts the Valkyries ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday at the Dream’s home court.

Kiah Stokes played a key role for Golden State, contributing 13 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots. Her performance earned enthusiastic chants of “MVP!” from the home crowd following the final buzzer. Angel Reese added seven points, 15 rebounds, and five assists, though her production was less dominant than in earlier games in the series. Reese also faced some frustration, committing three offensive fouls, including one with just over seven minutes remaining.

Veronica Burton, a Newton native, also made a significant impact, scoring 13 points and securing eight rebounds as part of a balanced team effort. Head coach Natalie Nakase praised the team’s “strength in numbers” approach, which was evident as multiple players contributed throughout the contest.

Nakase’s recent lineup adjustments have been a contributing factor to Golden State’s success. She started Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles in Game 4, a move that continued in Game 5. Hayes, a veteran guard who spent 10 seasons with Atlanta before coming out of retirement two years ago, scored 12 points and has been highlighted by Nakase as a player they want to rally around for the championship.

The Dream, meanwhile, struggled offensively, with their leading scorer Gabby Williams unable to find consistent shooting rhythm. Despite the setback, Atlanta remains in contention, with one final opportunity to extend the series in Game 6 at home.

The upcoming game presents a critical chance for either team to clinch the title. If the Valkyries win, they will capture their first WNBA championship; a Dream victory would force a decisive Game 7. The game is set for 12:30 p.m. on Thursday and will be broadcast live on USA Network.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.