Reese Scores Seven as Dream Fall to Valkyries 64-55 in WNBA Finals Game 5

Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase told reporters on Monday night that the physical intensity displayed in the 64-55 victory over the Atlanta Dream is expected at this stage of the championship run. The win puts Golden State up 3-2 in the WNBA Finals, forcing Atlanta to win the next two games to avoid elimination.

The scorelines marked historic lows for both franchises. The Valkyries scored just 64 points, the fewest in a Finals win since the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005. Atlanta’s 55 points represent the fewest in a Finals game since the Mercury recorded that total in Game 3 of the 2021 series. The Dream shot 29.2 percent from the field, the fourth-lowest mark by any team in a WNBA Finals game. Their 23.5 percent efficiency in the paint was the worst by any team in a game this postseason.

Angel Reese finished with seven points on 2-of-8 shooting. She went 3-for-4 from the free throw line and picked up four personal fouls. It is the first time in her career she has recorded two or fewer field goals in consecutive games. It is also only the second time she has been held to single-digit scoring in back-to-back contests, the first occurrence dating to 2024. In Game 4, Reese had eight points on 2-of-12 shooting.

Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko criticized the officiating crew after the game. He described the contact on Reese as "ridiculous" compared to other players. Smesko stated, "You can't be at this level and make that many mistakes." He also pointed to missed double-dribble and travel calls against Golden State. The Dream attempted only 116 free throws in the first four games of the series. That average of 29.0 per game set a record, as Atlanta became the second team in WNBA history to attempt at least 25 free throws in three straight Finals games.

Reese said the physical play has been a recurring theme for her throughout the year. She noted, "I am still trying to figure out how to play through the physicality." She added that the shift in officiating felt distinct after Atlanta took a 2-1 series lead. "I don't know what happened, but it definitely took a big turn," Reese said. The Dream also struggled from the line on Monday, making 11 of 14 attempts. That total was the fewest free throw attempts the team has had in a game this postseason.

Nakase defended the style of play, noting that both teams are defensive-minded and well-coached. "These are two defensive-minded teams .. they like physicality, so that's part of it," she said. She added that she was not shocked by the intensity. "You have an Atlanta Dream team that's well-coached, that have dogs, same as us," Nakase concluded.