Breaking down the Valkyries players Atlanta Dream Fans should be concerned about in the WNBA Finals: Gabby Williams’ hunt for a national title after her FIBA Women’s World Cup loss to Team USA, Kiah Stokes’ rim protection, and the Valkyries’ lethal bench.
The Atlanta Dream evened the WNBA Finals at 1-1 with a 79-65 win over the Golden State Valkyries in Game 2, a victory on Golden State’s home court. The arena has sold out all 51 of its games in regular and postseason. The Valkyries have held the No. 2 seed most of the regular season and swept the Dream in their three matchups. Fans call the Chase Center “Ballhalla,” a nod to Valhalla in Norse mythology. The Finals start fresh for both teams. Despite evening the series, Atlanta faces three factors that keep Golden State dangerous heading into Game 3.
The WNBA Finals: For Valkyries Guard, Gabby Williams, It’s Personal
Valkyries guard Williams and Team France fell to Angel Reese and Team USA in a 97-79 loss, in the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, basketball’s top international tournament outside the Olympics. Williams removed her silver medal from her neck after the award ceremony and was visibly upset.
Williams averaged 22 points per game in the postseason. She scored 26 points in Game 1 and added 14 points with four steals in Game 2. She plays as a clutch second-half scorer and enters these Finals carrying unfinished business from Berlin.
Kiah Stokes: The Silencer
Stokes, the Valkyries’ 6-foot-3 center and former UConn player, protects the rim by throwing block parties for opponents who enter the paint. Stokes finished Game 2 with 11 rebounds and four blocks. Her postseason blocks tie her with A’ja Wilson – six (2022 and 2025) and Lisa Leslie – six (2003) for the second-most blocks in a single postseason, marking her fifth game this postseason with three or more blocks. She also joins Brittney Griner (2014) as the only players in WNBA history to record four or more blocks in consecutive Finals games.
Don’t Sleep on the Valkyries’ Bench
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Valkyries bench brings the same applied pressure as the starting lineup. Golden State reserves outscored Atlanta’s bench 33 to 11 in Game 2. Veronica Burton led the group, with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals. “It takes composure and it comes down to sticking together,” Burton said on what it will take for Golden State to win in Atlanta. “It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be rowdy, but that’s exciting. This is Finals basketball; it’s where we want to be, so I’m excited for that.”
What This Means for Atlanta
The Valkyries remain a legitimate threat in pursuit of winning the series. Both the starting line up and bench can turn any game around, especially in the second half. Some Dream fans and commentators say Dream coach Karl Smesko should play bench players like 6-foot-6 center Madina Okot more often. This would ease starter fatigue and injury risk. Smesko can lean on DeWanna Bonner and Isobel Borlase to anchor the second unit, but he needs to empty the bench when Golden State sends reserves.
Warning for Atlanta
Atlanta has the talent to win the series. The team needs to do the following to bring the chip home:
- Protect the ball to prevent turnovers
- Keep Golden State out of the paint
- Trust the bench and rest the starters
My prediction for this series: The series closes out in five games, with either team taking the lead in a close finish.
All pictures provided by the Golden State Valkyries Media Team (Getty Images)
