Stokes blocks shots as Valkyries win

The WNBA Finals reached their final stretch on Monday night. Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes helped her team secure a decisive victory over the Atlanta Dream. The win moved Golden State to a 3-2 lead in the series. One more win will secure the franchise's first championship.

Stokes recorded 13 points and seven rebounds in the 64-55 win. She also blocked three shots. The center shot 5-for-6 from the field during the game. This performance extends a streak where she has blocked at least three shots in six consecutive games. That streak ties a record set by Lisa Leslie in 2003 for the longest single postseason run in WNBA history.

Defense drove the outcome of the game. Golden State forced turnovers and disrupted passes throughout the contest. The Valkyries never let Atlanta establish offensive comfort. ESPN research shows Atlanta shot 1-of-7 when Stokes contested the shot. They made zero shots from three-point range in those specific situations. On the other end, Stokes made three three-pointers, tying her season high.

Atlanta's star forwards struggled against the defensive pressure. Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon combined for 9 points on 3-of-13 shooting. Reserve DeWanna Bonner attempted only two shots and did not score. The Dream's 55 points were their lowest total of the season. Golden State is the only team this year to hold an opponent under 50 points, a feat they achieved against the Washington Mystics in July.

The series now moves to Atlanta for Game 6. The game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena. Golden State would need to win this road game to clinch the title in six games. If the series continues, the teams will return to Ballhalla in San Francisco for a Game 7 on Halloween.

Atlanta's rebounding effort was strong on Monday, but their shooting was poor. The Dream outrebounded the Valkyries 44-33. However, Atlanta shot just 29.2 percent from the field, going 19-of-65. This low efficiency neutralized their advantage on the glass. The Dream need to find their offensive rhythm again to stay alive in the series.

Angel Reese's recent production has declined in the final two games. She scored a combined 15 points in Games 4 and 5. That total is down sharply from her 30 points in Game 2 and 21 points in Game 3. Golden State has won the three games in this series where both teams were held under 70 points. The Valkyries must maintain this defensive intensity to claim the championship.