Transcript: Golden State Valkyries 64, Atlanta Dream 55. Valkyries hold off Dream in close postseason battle. Rhyne Howard led everyone with 20 points.
The story
The Dream came to Golden State with championship poise, taking the 1st quarter 14-13. But the Valkyries found their rhythm in the 2nd, outscoring Atlanta 12-8 to take a 25-22 halftime lead. Golden State stretched that advantage in the 3rd quarter, winning 21-18 to reach 46-40. The Dream never quit, taking the 4th quarter 15-18, but the Valkyries held on through a game where neither team led by more than 1 point at any stretch. Rhyne Howard kept Atlanta close with 20 points, and Angel Reese pulled 15 rebounds. But Golden State's depth proved decisive: Kiah Stokes had 13 points and 8 rebounds, Veronica Burton added 13 points with 4 blocks, and Cecilia Zandalasini chipped in 12. The Valkyries won 64-55.
2Howard led the Dream with 20 points, including 7 field goals and 3 free throws, and added 5 rebounds. She kept Atlanta in a game that came down to execution and poise, showing why the Dream are 1st in the East at 30-14.
The stat line
The stat line
| Golden State Valkyries | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiah Stokes | 13 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Veronica Burton | 13 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Cecilia Zandalasini | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Tiffany Hayes | 12 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Gabby Williams | 9 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Kayla Thornton | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kaila Charles | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Kaitlyn Chen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Atlanta Dream | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhyne Howard | 20 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Jordin Canada | 12 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Allisha Gray | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Angel Reese | 7 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Isobel Borlase | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Naz Hillmon | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| DeWanna Bonner | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Madina Okot | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
