Kiah Stokes Anchors Valkyries to Game 5 Win and 3-2 WNBA Finals Lead

Kiah Stokes put together another standout postseason performance on Monday, leading the Golden State Valkyries to a 64-55 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. The win gives Golden State a 3-2 series lead and puts the team one victory away from a championship.

The center finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while shooting 5-for-6 from the field. She made three 3-pointers, including two on open looks, and tied her season high in scoring. According to ESPN's Alexa Philippou, Stokes has made three or fewer 3-pointers total in six of her 11 WNBA seasons.

Defense remained the foundation for Golden State, which is in its second season in the league after joining as an expansion team in 2025. Stokes has now blocked at least three shots in six consecutive games, matching Lisa Leslie's 2003 mark for the longest such streak in a single postseason in WNBA playoff history.

The Valkyries gave Atlanta little room to settle in. They forced turnovers, deflected passes and blocked or altered shots throughout the night, and the Dream never found a comfortable stretch on offense. Atlanta shot 19-of-65 (29.2%) and scored 55 points, its lowest total of the season. The Dream did win the rebounding battle 44-33, but their poor shooting made that edge largely irrelevant.

ESPN Research showed Atlanta went 1-of-7, and 0-of-1 from three, when Stokes contested a shot in Game 5. Across the Finals, the Dream are 9-of-48 when she defends, with no makes in eight attempts from beyond the arc. Forwards Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon combined to shoot 3-of-13 for 9 points, and reserve DeWanna Bonner took two shots and did not score.

Stokes, who won three WNBA titles earlier in her career with Las Vegas, brought energy from the opening tip. Golden State has also responded well since falling behind 2-1 in the series, reasserting its defensive identity over the last two games. In the three games in which both teams were held below 70 points, the Valkyries have won each time.

The series now moves to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena. The early start means Golden State could clinch the first championship in franchise history on the road, in the morning in the Bay Area. If the Valkyries fall short, Game 7 would be played at Ballhalla on Halloween.

For Atlanta to extend the series, it likely needs more from Reese, who scored 30 points in Game 2 and 21 in Game 3 but managed a combined 15 in Games 4 and 5. If the Dream can rediscover their offensive rhythm, their rebounding advantage could start to matter.