™Golden State remembered who it is — just in time. Three days after a 26-point drubbing in Game 3, the Valkyries ground out a 67-62 win over the Atlanta Dream in Game 4 on Saturday at State Farm Arena, leveling the WNBA Finals at 2-2 and taking home-court advantage back to San Francisco.
Defense travels, even when the shots do not
This was not pretty, and Golden State did not need it to be. The Valkyries shot just 4-for-25 from three-point range, yet held Atlanta to 33.3 percent from the field and forced 18 Dream turnovers against only nine of their own. After building a 42-26 halftime lead, Golden State watched Atlanta claw back to within four points in the final 30 seconds — and still found the stops that mattered, with Veronica Burton's late free throw sealing it after Rhyne Howard's three-point play had cut the lead to 66-62.
Williams leads, Hayes delivers in the second half
Gabby Williams led Golden State with 17 points, while Tiffany Hayes — moved into the starting lineup for Game 4 — scored all 13 of her points in the second half, including seven in the fourth quarter. Veronica Burton added 13, Cecilia Zandalasini chipped in 10 off the bench after being moved out of the starting lineup, and Kiah Stokes dominated the glass with 16 rebounds. "We just had to have more fight, more grit, and get back to us," Hayes said afterward. "We still made a few mistakes, but at the end of the day we played hard and we came out with the win."
Reese, held in check at last
For the first time in these playoffs, Angel Reese did not reach double figures. After double-doubles in each of the first three Finals games — averaging 25.5 points and 14 rebounds in Atlanta's two wins — Reese was held to eight points on 2-for-12 shooting, with nine rebounds and six turnovers. "I think I rushed a lot of my shots," Reese said. "I didn't take my time and finish around the basket the way I've been doing the last three games. It happens. I'm just looking forward to the next game and I'll just be better." Rhyne Howard led Atlanta with 19 points, while Jordin Canada and Isobel Borlase added 10 apiece — but Atlanta's other star, Allisha Gray, managed only five points as she and Reese combined to shoot 3-for-19.
What it means
The series is now a best-of-three, and the momentum has swung back across the country. Game 5 is Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Golden State (USA Network/Peacock), with Game 6 guaranteed back in Atlanta on Thursday. The Valkyries, who had not won since Game 1, have their swagger back. The Dream, who looked one win from the brink of a title procession on Wednesday, now have to win on the road to avoid facing elimination at home.