WNBA Finals: Valkyries beat Dream to reach the brink of their first title

Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton radiance for Golden State arsenic Angel Reese’s Atlanta squad was stifled by a beardown defence.

Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton each scored 13 points to assistance unafraid Golden State’s 64-55 triumph implicit Atlanta, putting the Valkyries connected the brink of winning the Women’s NBA Finals.

Tiffany Hayes and reserve Cecilia Zandalasini each added 12 points for the Valkyries portion Stokes and Burton each pulled down a team-best 8 rebounds successful Game 5 connected Monday.

Golden State seized a 3-2 pb implicit the Dream successful the best-of-seven title series, which continues connected Thursday successful Atlanta.

“We’re not done yet. We’ve got 1 more,” Stokes said. “We request 2 hoops, 94 feet and each different and that’s each we need.”

The Valkyries, successful lone their 2nd WNBA campaign, kept Dream prima Angel Reese to 7 points connected 2-of-8 shooting, though she grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.

Atlanta Dream’s prima guardant Angel Reese was held backmost successful Game 5 by GSV’s beardown defence [Jeff Chiu/AP]

Golden State dominated defensively, keeping Atlanta to a season-low successful points connected 19-of-65 (29 percent) shooting from the floor.

“That has conscionable been our staple each season. We truly trust connected our defence,” Stokes said.

“They are tough. We person to marque definite we’re each doing our part. It’s a squad for a reason.”

Stokes had a game-high 4 blocked shots and has had astatine slightest 3 blocks successful each finals game.

Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 20 points portion Jordin Canada added 12.

The Valkyries person been a deed with spectators successful the location arena of the NBA Golden State Warriors.

“You each are amazing,” Stokes screamed to a cheering assemblage moments aft the triumph. “We couldn’t bash this without you all.”