The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 67-62 in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 24, 2026, tying the championship series at two games apiece. Gabby Williams led Golden State with 17 points as the Valkyries used strong defense and a commanding first half to secure the road victory at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The win prevented Atlanta from taking a 3-1 series lead and guaranteed that the best-of-seven championship will require at least six games. Golden State will return home for Game 5 on Monday, October 26, at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Golden State Builds a 16-Point Halftime Lead
The Valkyries entered Game 4 facing pressure after losing two consecutive games to Atlanta. The Dream had won Game 2 by 14 points and followed with a 97-71 victory in Game 3, putting Golden State behind in the series.
Head coach Natalie Nakase responded by adjusting her starting lineup and emphasizing stronger defensive execution. Tiffany Hayes moved into the starting lineup, while the team concentrated on protecting the basketball and preventing Atlanta from getting easy scoring opportunities.
Golden State established control early, finishing the first quarter ahead 16-11. Cecilia Zandalasini and Kaila Charles provided an early spark, helping the Valkyries put together a 14-4 scoring run during the opening period.
The advantage continued to grow in the second quarter as Golden State increased its defensive pressure. The Valkyries eventually carried a 42-26 lead into halftime, their largest halftime advantage of the Finals.
The performance represented a significant improvement over the previous two games, when turnovers and defensive breakdowns helped Atlanta take control. Golden State had committed 33 turnovers across those losses but reduced that number to just nine in Game 4.
Angel Reese Struggles Against Valkyries Defense
Atlanta forward Angel Reese entered the contest following two outstanding performances. She had averaged 25.5 points and 14 rebounds in the Dream's victories in Games 2 and 3.
Golden State limited Reese to just eight points and nine rebounds in Game 4. She converted only two of her 12 field-goal attempts and committed six turnovers as the Valkyries challenged her attempts near the basket.
Reese had recorded double-doubles in each of the first three games of the championship series. Her reduced production on Saturday was a major setback for Atlanta, which struggled to establish consistent scoring inside.
Kiah Stokes played an important role in Golden State's defensive effort, collecting 16 rebounds and blocking three shots. Her performance also established a WNBA Finals record of 14 blocked shots through four games, surpassing the previous record of 12 shared by Brittney Griner and Sylvia Fowles.
The Valkyries held the Dream to 33.3% shooting from the field. Atlanta also made just four of its 23 three-point attempts, preventing the team from overcoming its poor first-half performance.
Golden State forced 18 turnovers while committing only nine of its own. That difference helped limit Atlanta's scoring chances and gave the Valkyries greater control over the game's pace.
Atlanta Rallies in the Second Half
Despite falling behind by 16 points, the Dream mounted a comeback after halftime. Atlanta gradually reduced the deficit during the third quarter and continued to apply pressure in the fourth.
Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 19 points, while Jordin Canada and Isobel Borlase each contributed 10. Howard became Atlanta's most reliable offensive option as Reese and Allisha Gray struggled to find their shooting rhythm.
Atlanta narrowed the score to 61-55 midway through the fourth quarter, energizing the sellout crowd of more than 17,000 spectators. Golden State responded with an important three-pointer from Veronica Burton, restoring a nine-point advantage.
The Dream continued fighting back and scored seven of the next nine points. Howard completed a three-point play with 28 seconds remaining, cutting Golden State's lead to 66-62.
Burton then made one of two free throws to extend the advantage to five points. Atlanta could not convert on its next possession, allowing Golden State to secure the victory.
Burton finished with 13 points, matching Hayes for the team's second-highest scoring total behind Williams. Hayes scored all 13 of her points in the second half, providing valuable offense as Atlanta tried to erase its deficit.
Defensive Adjustments Turn the Series Around
Golden State's victory reflected a different approach from the one that produced its previous two losses. The Valkyries played more aggressively around the basket, limited second-chance opportunities and avoided the turnovers that had repeatedly disrupted their offense.
Speaking after the game, Hayes credited the team's improved effort and determination. She acknowledged that Golden State still made mistakes but emphasized that the players competed harder and remained focused on the win.
Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko pointed to his team's difficult opening half. He said the Dream needed better decisions and stronger execution early in games, although he praised the players for their second-half response.
Golden State's defensive success was particularly notable because its outside shooting remained poor. The Valkyries converted only four of their 25 three-point attempts but compensated through rebounding, defensive pressure and careful ball handling.
For Atlanta, the loss interrupted the momentum built during its impressive performances in Games 2 and 3. The Dream will need to improve its shooting and reduce turnovers to regain control of the series.
Game 5 Returns to San Francisco
The WNBA Finals are now tied 2-2, with both teams having won two games. Golden State took the opener 68-64 before Atlanta answered with victories of 79-65 and 97-71.
Game 5 is scheduled for Monday, October 26, at 8 p.m. Eastern, or 5 p.m. Pacific, at Chase Center in San Francisco. The game will air on USA Network and stream on Peacock.
Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, in Atlanta. If the teams split the next two games, a deciding Game 7 will be played Saturday, October 31, in San Francisco.
The immediate focus will be whether Golden State can maintain the defensive pressure that limited Atlanta to 62 points on Saturday. For the Dream, improving Reese's scoring opportunities and avoiding another slow start will be important as the series returns to California.