Valkyries find their fight, stifle Dream to even WNBA Finals momentum

Valkyries find their fight, stifle Dream to even WNBA Finals momentum.

Key points

• Nakase changed the Valkyries starting lineup, sending Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini to the bench for Game 4.
• Golden State held Atlanta to its lowest-scoring half of the season with 26 points in the first half, and every Dream starter had a negative plus-minus.
• Former WNBA stars Tina Charles and Swin Cash share their thoughts on what the next WNBA commissioner should be like.
• Veronica Burton cashed a gnarly 3-ball with under five minutes remaining to push Golden State out in front even more, sinking what was eventually the dagger basket.
• "Get loud and get ready, " Hayes remarked, "show 'em what the crowd really do." SMS Facebook Twitter Email.

Valkyries find their fight, stifle Dream to even WNBA Finals momentum. Meghan L. Hall USA TODAY. Charles, Cash on WNBA commissioner characteristics.

ATLANTA ― The Golden State Valkyries and head coach Natalie Nakase needed to do something ― anything ― differently to obtain the team out of the 2-1 hole it was in before Saturday's Game 4, and they did.

Nakase changed the Valkyries starting lineup, sending Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini to the bench for Game 4. Thornton was held scoreless for two games during the series and had two points in another. Zandalasini was able to score against the Atlanta Dream but had poor shooting outings (30% and 12.5%) in Games 1 and 2.

For context, the move was probable produced to offer Golden State more offensive juice and size defensively, and it paid off early. Golden State was flying around at State Farm Arena, mixing in more movement than it had previously two games. The Valkyries managed to hold three Dream starters (Angel Reese, Naz Hillmon and Jordin Canada) scoreless for much of the first quarter and keep Atlanta to 11 points after its leading scorer, Allisha Gray, picked up three quick fouls.

They were just mixing it up, wanting to get a better start to the game, Dream coach Karl Smesko remarked of the starting lineup. And I mean, offer 'em credit. They came out super aggressive, they were crashing the boards really hard, they were being particularly physical on defense. We just needed to take care of the ball better, obtain some better shots early and then when we did secure good shots early, they didn't fall. We kinda dug ourselves a little bit of a hole.

Golden State's offense was impressive since they managed to do it without Tiffany Hayes. This person has been so critical to their production. Hayes began, but had to sit early with two fouls before picking up her third early in the second quarter. The Valkyries dug deep to create some separation by elevating more on their shots, hitting multiple jumpers and a number of deep 3s, plus picking on rookie Izzy Borlase defensively when Gray went out.

Gabby Williams, who challenged herself to be better as a leader before Saturday, spearheaded the charge with a barrage of shots, pummeling Atlanta from the midrange as Golden State's lead ballooned to 16 just before halftime.

"If I wanna lead my team, I have to be the one that sets the tone and I have to lead by example as well, " Williams remarked. "So I think that motivated me to set the tempo today, start off the game with a lot of aggressiveness. Before the game, I just talked to the team regarding. Not having regrets and that the beauty of our sport is as bad as we felt on Wednesday (Oct. 21), we obtain to turn around and produce it right up today."

For context, the Valkyries additionally hounded Reese, something that hadn't happened previously two games. They stuck to her like gum on the bottom of a shoe and didn't let up. Golden State seemed to take Reese's massive outings in Games 2 and 3 personally, refusing to let her secure going and forcing five turnovers."I think it was me, I think I rushed a lot of my shots. I didn't take my time and finish around the basket like I've been doing the last three games, " Reese said postgame." It happens and I'm just looking forward to the next game and I'll just be better."

To Golden State's credit, the intensity felt similar to Game 1 where the Valkyries did everything it could to unravel the Dream at "Ballhalla." But this time, the Valkyries were more than 2, 100 miles from home bringing that Bay Area grit to the South. Golden State held Atlanta to its lowest-scoring half of the season with 26 points in the first half, and every Dream starter had a negative plus-minus.

"Finally they decided to fight, so it was really good that they showed up, " Nakase remarked during halftime. "They're playing their hearts out, and that's what I love." Valkyries stifle Dream in Game 4.

Golden State continued to put its foot on the gas as the chance to even the series was well within reach.

For context, the Valkyries played fairly composed in the third quarter even after the fouls mounted and Nakase received a technical foul for the second consecutive game for appearing to argue a call. After Nakase's tech, Atlanta created two surges to cut the lead to under single digits, with a timely 3-point bucket from Borlase and DeWanna Bonner with just under three minutes remaining in the third.

Golden State did not flinch after the Dream went on their runs. Williams & Co. Went right down the proverbial gut of Atlanta, attacking the paint for 38 points and causing 17 Dream turnovers."(It was our) defense. I don't know. I'm sorry if I sound redundant, but we just picked up our ball pressure, " Williams remarked. "I think we're a bit more connected today, and that gives us our energy."

Notably, the Valkyries additionally limited the Dream to zero fast-break points well into the fourth quarter. Yes, zero fast break points. It atlanta leads the league in with 12.5 points per matchup during the regular season. With roughly seven minutes remaining in regulation, Atlanta couldn't obtain out into transition, a stunning sight. The Dream concluded with two fast-break points. That's not a typo.

Veronica Burton cashed a gnarly 3-ball with under five minutes remaining to push Golden State out in front even more, sinking what was eventually the dagger basket. It was a contested shot right in the face of Borlase and offered Burton 10 points, by far her best game of the series, just when Golden State needed it the most. Burton's production put the exclamation on a fantastic day for the Valkyries. This person had four players in double figures.

If Nakase wanted fight, Golden State finally indicated it. They walk away with a gutsy 67-62 win in Atlanta. There will be a Game 6.

Meanwhile, the Valkyries had the "fire in (their) bellies" Williams shared she needed to see from her team on Friday. They followed her lead, and it paid off. Now, the question remains: can they sustain it as the series shifts back to the Bay?

"Get loud and get ready, " Hayes remarked, "show 'em what the crowd really do." SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, valkyries find their fight, stifle Dream to even WNBA Finals momentum remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.