WNBA Finals Game 4: Dream chase first crown as Valkyries face elimination

Championship point in Atlanta

The Atlanta Dream enter Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Friday, 23 October, holding a 2-1 series advantage and the chance to secure the franchise’s first championship at State Farm Arena. Atlanta delivered a masterclass on Wednesday in Game 3, dismantling the expansion Golden State Valkyries 97-71 before 17,854 raucous supporters. The Dream led wire-to-wire, winning each period behind aggressive perimeter trapping and relentless interior rebounding.

Angel Reese continues to etch her name into basketball lore. With 21 points, 12 rebounds and three steals on 8 of 14 shooting in Game 3, Reese became the first player in WNBA history to record a double-double in each of her first three career Finals appearances. Together with Rhyne Howard’s sharpshooting and Naz Hillmon’s high-energy bench play, Atlanta possesses all the momentum heading into Friday’s high-stakes contest.

Valkyries on the brink

For Golden State, Friday represents an all-or-nothing test. After winning Game 1 in thrilling fashion, the Valkyries have dropped back-to-back double-digit decisions, shooting just 35 percent from the field in Game 3 against Atlanta’s size. Head coach Natalie Nakase emphasized transition defense and ball movement during Thursday’s film review. To force a winner-take-all Game 5 in San Francisco, the Valkyries must withstand Atlanta’s early emotional surge and execute under elimination pressure.