Golden State takes 3-2 Finals lead

The Golden State Valkyries secured a 3-2 series lead in the WNBA Finals on Monday, outscoring the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5.

Center Kiah Stokes anchored the effort with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. She shot 5-for-6 from the field and made three 3-pointers, a total that ties her season high. ESPN analyst Alexa Philippou noted that Stokes has made three or fewer 3-pointers in six of her 11 seasons in the league.

Golden State, which joined the league as an expansion team in 2025, relied on defensive pressure to limit Atlanta's offense. The Valkyries forced turnovers and altered shots, holding the Dream to 55 points. That total is the lowest scoring output for Atlanta this season. Although Atlanta won the rebounding battle 44-33, the team shot just 29.2% from the floor, going 19-of-65.

Stokes has now blocked at least three shots in six consecutive games, matching the single postseason streak set by Lisa Leslie in 2003. Her defensive presence limited Atlanta's key players. ESPN Research data indicates the Dream went 1-of-7 when Stokes contested a shot in Game 5. Across the entire Finals series, Atlanta is 9-of-48 when she defends, with zero makes from beyond the arc in eight attempts.

Forwards Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon combined for 9 points on 3-of-13 shooting in Game 5. Reserve DeWanna Bonner took two shots and did not score. Reese had scored 30 points in Game 2 and 21 in Game 3, but her production dropped to a combined 15 points in the final two games of this stretch.

The series shifts to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena. A Golden State victory would clinch the first championship in franchise history on the road. If the series goes to a deciding game, it will be played at Ballhalla on Halloween.