Golden State Valkyries W 67–62 Atlanta Dream W: match recap

Match recap

A defensive grind where neither team shot above 18% from three, the Valkyries survived behind Gabby Williams' 17 points and Kiah Stokes' 16-rebound takeover on the glass.

Game 4 of the WNBA Finals was a slugfest defined by putrid shooting — Atlanta shot just 17.4% and Golden State 16.0% from deep — and relentless pursuit of second chances. The Valkyries won the rebounding battle 38–37 and bench scoring 15–14, but their real advantage came through Stokes' 16 boards and Williams' ability to create at the rim. Atlanta's Rhyne Howard fought through poor efficiency to score a game-high 19, but the Dream never found consistent flow after halftime, managing only 62 points on a night where the home crowd, described as electric per Joe Johnson, couldn't lift their offense.

Key factors

• Kiah Stokes (16 rebounds) gave Golden State a second-chance advantage in a game where neither team could buy a three, tilting the possession battle just enough.
• Atlanta's 17.4% three-point shooting allowed Golden State to pack the paint and disrupt any rhythm for Howard and Canada, who combined for 29 points but needed volume to get there.
• Golden State's bench outscored Atlanta's 15–14, with Cecilia Zandalasini providing a critical 10-point spark in 18 minutes to keep the Valkyries afloat during a rock-fight offensive stretch.

The Analyst's take

Golden State stole home-court advantage by embracing a slugfest, relying on Stokes' monster rebounding and Williams' veteran shot-making. The model share (54.5% home, 45.5% away) reflects a game that could have swung either way on a few loose balls; the series now heads back to the Bay with the Valkyries holding all the momentum after evening the series.