Golden State Valkyries level WNBA Finals at 2-2 after holding Angel Reese to eight points

The Golden State Valkyries have levelled the WNBA Finals at two games apiece after defeating the Atlanta Dream 67-62 in Game 4 on Saturday. The victory, secured at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, ends the Dream's two-game winning streak and sends the best-of-seven series back to California for the next contest. Gabby Williams was the top scorer for Golden State with 17 points, while the team relied on a dominant defensive performance to neutralise the Atlanta attack.

The game was defined by Golden State's ability to shut down Atlanta's star player, Angel Reese. Reese, who had averaged 25.5 points and 14 rebounds in the previous two Dream victories, was held to just eight points in Game 4. She missed 10 of her 12 shot attempts, including several layups in the final quarter, after recording double-doubles in each of the first three games of the series. This defensive effort was crucial for Golden State, who had previously struggled with turnovers that led to easy scoring opportunities for Atlanta.

Background

The series had been closely contested, with Golden State winning Game 1 68-64 on October 17. The Dream responded with wins in Game 2 (79-65) and Game 3 (97-71), taking a 2-1 lead in the series. In Game 3, Golden State suffered a 26-point defeat, but players expressed confidence between that loss and Game 4 that they could win if they played with more physicality and grit. They demonstrated this intensity on Saturday, limiting Atlanta's scoring and crashing the offensive boards. Kiah Stokes was instrumental in this effort, recording 16 rebounds, eight of which were offensive, and three blocks. Her performance set a new WNBA Finals record for blocks in the first four games of a series, surpassing the previous mark of 12 held by Brittney Griner and Sylvia Fowles.

Other key contributors for Golden State included Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton, who each scored 13 points, and Cecilia Zandalasini with 10. For Atlanta, Rhyne Howard led the scoring with 19 points, while Jordin Canada and Australian international Izzy Borlase each added 10. Borlase continued her solid production in the series, making a key three-pointer in the third quarter that helped trim the Dream's deficit. Despite a sellout crowd of over 17,000 fans at State Farm Arena, Atlanta was unable to sustain its momentum against Golden State's defensive pressure.

Why it matters

The result is significant as it prevents the Dream from taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. By levelling the score at 2-2, Golden State has secured a chance to regain control of the series on home soil. The performance highlights the importance of defensive adjustments, as Golden State's ability to contain Reese and limit turnovers was the deciding factor in a low-scoring affair where they made only four of their 25 three-point attempts. The series now shifts to a neutral ground in terms of momentum, with both teams having won two of the first four games. The upcoming games will determine which team holds the advantage in the final stages of the championship.

What happens next

Game 5 of the series is scheduled for Monday, October 26, with the teams moving back to California. The game will be played at 8pm USA time. If the series continues, Game 6 is set for Thursday, October 29, in Atlanta, and a potential Game 7 would take place on Saturday, October 31, back in California. In the United States, the series is broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC, with streaming available on Peacock. In the UK, the games are carried by Sky Sports.