WNBA Finals Game 4: Dream look to seal historic title in Atlanta
Atlanta holds a 2-1 series lead with championship point at State Farm Arena. Golden State battle to force Game 5.
Championship point in Atlanta
The Atlanta Dream stand on the threshold of basketball glory on Saturday, 24 October, hosting the Golden State Valkyries in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. Leading 2-1 in the best-of-five championship series, Atlanta can capture the first title in franchise history with a victory on their home floor. The atmosphere across downtown Atlanta has reached a crescendo following the Dream’s commanding 97-71 Game 3 rout on Wednesday night.
All eyes once again turn to Angel Reese, whose rookie Finals campaign has rewritten the record books. Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record a double-double in each of her first three career Finals games, posting 21 points, 12 rebounds and three steals in Game 3. Paired with Rhyne Howard’s sharpshooting and Naz Hillmon’s relentless interior presence, Atlanta has out-rebounded Golden State by an average of 14 boards across the past two games.
Valkyries fight for survival
For the expansion Golden State Valkyries, Saturday presents a pure elimination test. After taking Game 1 in thrilling style, the Valkyries have struggled against Atlanta’s interior length, shooting just 35 percent from the field in Game 3. Head coach Natalie Nakase has urged her team to increase tempo, space the floor for Tiffany Hayes, and limit second-chance opportunities. A road victory on Saturday would send the series back to San Francisco for a winner-take-all Game 5 at Chase Center.
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