Valkyries Defeat Dream 64-55 to Force Deciding Game 7

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 64-55 on Monday night to advance to Game 7 of the WNBA Finals. The win at Chase Center in San Francisco puts Golden State one victory away from the championship in the franchise's second season.

Kiah Stokes led the team with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Her performance extended a streak of six consecutive games with at least three blocks, a postseason record she now shares with Lisa Leslie from 2003. "It feels pretty special," Stokes said after hearing the crowd chant her name. "I always know what I brought to a team, I always understood my value but just to hear an arena full of 18,000 fans it just really makes me feel appreciated and loved."

Veronica Burton matched Stokes with 13 points and eight rebounds. She added four blocked shots, tying Diana Taurasi's 2009 record for the most blocks by a guard in a Finals game. "We’re not here without Kiah," Burton said of her teammate. "Every single day, every single game, from the beginning. Just her veteran experience as well. It's more than just defense."

The Valkyries controlled the second half after a slow first period. The combined first-half score of 47 points marked the lowest total in WNBA Finals history. Angel Reese finished with seven points, 15 rebounds, and five assists for Atlanta. She shook her head after drawing her second offensive foul with 7:43 remaining. "I still believe in our team, I still believe we can win this," Reese said.

Coach Natalie Nakase kept Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles in the starting lineup for the second straight game. Hayes, a former Atlanta player who retired two years ago, scored 12 points. Gabby Williams finished with nine points on 3-for-14 shooting. The Dream committed 17 turnovers, which resulted in 21 points for Golden State.

The series shifts to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday. The league announced the game will be played at 12:30 p.m. EDT at State Farm Arena. A potential Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday at Chase Center. Dream coach Karl Smesko noted the early start time. "I’d like to see it be a national holiday for all WNBA championship games so whatever somebody can do," Smesko said. "I hope everybody gets to see it somehow and I know that for some people it’s not realistic, they have jobs and won’t be able to make it. So I’m disappointed for that but I’m really hopeful that as many people can see the game as possible."

Golden State owner Joe Lacob promised a title within five years of the expansion franchise's arrival three years ago. The team now holds a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.