Stokes Leads Valkyries to 64-55 Win, One Win From Title — SkimNews
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- Kiah Stokes scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and recorded 3 blocks, leading the Golden State Valkyries defensively and offensively in their 64-55 win over the Atlanta Dream
- Golden State Valkyries held the Atlanta Dream to 55 points — their lowest total of the season — continuing a pattern of elite defense that has defined their series turnaround after trailing 2-1
- Kiah Stokes tied Lisa Leslie’s record for most consecutive games with at least 3 blocks in a single postseason (6 games), underscoring her transformation into a dominant defensive force in the 2025 playoffs
- Golden State Valkyries forced constant disruptions in Atlanta’s offense, with Stokes altering shots and the team tipping passes, making it nearly impossible for Dream starters Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon to find rhythm
- Kiah Stokes made three 3-pointers in Game 5 — a rare feat for the 6-foot-3 center who has done so in only six of her 11 WNBA seasons — showing expanded offensive range that is no longer a fluke
- Golden State Valkyries will have a chance to clinch their first championship in franchise history in Game 6 on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta
Why it matters: The Valkyries, an expansion team in just their second season, are now one win from a title thanks to a defensive identity anchored by Stokes, whose career-best playoff performance shifts the narrative from underdog to imminent champion. If they win in Atlanta, it would mark the earliest clinching time (morning Pacific) for a WNBA title game.
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