Valkyries beat Dream 67-62 in Atlanta to tie WNBA Finals at 2-2

The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 67-62 in Atlanta on Saturday, 24 October 2026. The win tied the best-of-seven WNBA Finals at 2-2. Game 5 is set for Monday, 26 October, in San Francisco.

Gabby Williams led Golden State with 17 points. Kiah Stokes had 16 rebounds and three blocks. Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 19 points. Angel Reese was held to eight points on 2-of-12 shooting.

Atlanta shot about 33% from the field and 4-for-23 from three-point range. Golden State led by 16 points at halftime. That was the largest deficit Atlanta has faced in these playoffs.

Coach Natalie Nakase changed her starting lineup. Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles started. Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini came off the bench. Golden State had lost Game 3 by 26 points.

How the game unfolded

According to the Guardian, the halftime score was 42-26. Atlanta cut the lead to 61-55 midway through the fourth quarter. Veronica Burton then hit a three-pointer. A three-point play by Howard with 28 seconds left made it 66-62. Burton made the first of two free throws, and Atlanta did not score again, the Guardian reported.

According to ESPN, Atlanta committed 14 first-half turnovers, which Golden State turned into 16 points. ESPN reported that Atlanta took 18 fewer shots than Golden State. It also reported that Reese shot 2-of-10 with Stokes as her primary defender.

The Guardian reported that Stokes now has 14 blocks in the series, a Finals record. ESPN reported she has had at least three blocks in four straight Finals games, also a record. The reports do not include an official league confirmation of either record.

What is disputed

Accounts of the third quarter differ. The Guardian wrote that "the Valkyries wouldn't let them do that in Game 4," referring to Atlanta's strong third quarters earlier in the series. ESPN reported that Atlanta opened the third quarter on a 14-4 run and "technically won the second half by 11." The reports do not include quarter-by-quarter scores.

The outlets also describe the first-half lead differently. The Guardian reported an 18-6 run to close the half. ESPN cited a 9-0 run in the first quarter and a 12-4 surge in the second.

What each side says

ESPN quoted Williams as saying: "If I want to lead this team, I have to be the one that sets the tone." Stokes was quoted by ESPN as saying: "Now it's a best-of-three series."

For Atlanta, ESPN quoted Howard as citing a "Lack of focus on our part." Reese was quoted as saying: "I think it was just me. I rushed my shots."

What comes next

According to ESPN, Game 5 is at Chase Center at 8 p.m., and Golden State would host Game 7 if needed. ESPN reported that the venue for Game 6, set for Thursday in Atlanta, is unclear. The reports do not describe any injuries for Game 5.

Analysis

The result resets a series that had appeared to favour Atlanta after two lopsided wins. Golden State's lineup change and defensive approach on Reese coincided with the turnaround, though one game does not establish what caused it. Atlanta's late rally and its strong second half, as described by ESPN, suggest the margins remain narrow. Golden State now has home court for two of the remaining three possible games. Unresolved logistics for Game 6 in Atlanta could add uncertainty. Either team could still win the title, and the outcome may depend on whether each side can sustain or adjust the approaches seen in Game 4.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.