The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 64-55 on Monday, October 26, 2026, as Kiah Stokes delivered 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. Golden State moved ahead 3-2 in the series before 18,064 fans at Chase Center.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Dream Take a Narrow Lead
Atlanta finished the opening quarter ahead 14-13. Neither team established much scoring separation, setting up a game in which shooting efficiency would prove more important than offensive volume.
Second Quarter: Golden State Moves Ahead
The Valkyries held the Dream to eight second-quarter points and scored 12 themselves, turning a one-point deficit into a 25-22 halftime advantage. Atlanta’s lowest-scoring period gave Golden State the edge entering the break.
Third Quarter: Valkyries Extend Their Advantage
Both offenses improved after halftime. Golden State outscored Atlanta 21-18 in the third, its most productive quarter, to take a 46-40 lead into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: Golden State Finishes the Job
The Valkyries added another three points to their margin by winning the final period 18-15. Golden State outscored Atlanta in each of the last three quarters and completed the nine-point victory without overtime.
Key Performers
- Kiah Stokes, Golden State: Contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, providing scoring and an important defensive presence.
- Veronica Burton, Golden State: Matched Stokes with 13 points and eight rebounds, sharing the team lead in both categories.
- Kaila Charles, Golden State: Led the Valkyries with four assists as the team finished with 14.
- Rhyne Howard, Atlanta: Led all scorers with 20 points, accounting for more than a third of the Dream’s total.
- Angel Reese, Atlanta: Collected a game-high 15 rebounds, helping the Dream finish with a 44-33 advantage on the boards.
- Jordin Canada, Atlanta: Recorded a game-high five assists.
NerdSports Stat: Both teams made six three-pointers, but Golden State outscored Atlanta 36-26 on two-point baskets. That 10-point advantage exceeded the game’s final nine-point margin.
Game Analysis: Efficiency Outweighs Rebounding
Atlanta won the rebounding comparison by 11 and attempted four more field goals, but Golden State converted its opportunities more efficiently. The Valkyries shot 24-for-61 from the field, or 39.3%, while the Dream finished 19-for-65, or 29.2%.
The separation came primarily inside the three-point line. Golden State made 18 of 37 two-point attempts, compared with Atlanta’s 13 of 39. With both teams making six threes and Atlanta holding an 11-10 edge in made free throws, those additional two-point baskets supplied the decisive scoring difference.
Neither side found consistent long-range success: Golden State went 6-for-24 from three, while Atlanta finished 6-for-26. Stokes’ three blocks complemented a team defensive effort that limited the Dream to 55 points, and the Valkyries steadily expanded their quarter-end advantage after halftime.
Closing Context: Valkyries One Win From the Title
Golden State now leads the best-of-seven WNBA Finals 3-2 and needs one more victory to secure the championship. Atlanta must win Game 6 to extend the series. The teams are scheduled to meet again Thursday, October 29, at 5:00 p.m. PDT, with the Valkyries seeking to finish the series and the Dream looking to force Game 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 64-55 on October 26, 2026.
Rhyne Howard scored a game-high 20 points. Her individual shooting percentage was not included in the supplied game statistics.
After the win, the Golden State Valkyries lead the WNBA Finals 3-2. This postseason result changes the series standing, not the regular-season conference standings.
Kiah Stokes was the standout performer for Golden State with 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard led all scorers with 20 points.
