← Back to the blogWNBA

Valkyries beat the Dream 64-55 in Game 5 to lead the WNBA Finals 3-2: how it happened and when Game 6 is

By McKinley Malbrough III, J.D., MS-HRM · Certified WNBA player agent · Former certified NBA agent

Published October 26, 2026. Last updated October 26, 2026.

The Valkyries beat the Dream 64-55 at Chase Center on Monday night and are one win from the first championship in franchise history, per the Valkyries game recap. This post covers how the game was won and what comes next. The Game 4 setup is in the earlier series math post. This post reports nothing after Game 5.

What was the score of Game 5?

Golden State won 64-55 and leads the best-of-seven series 3-2, per the Valkyries recap. The Valkyries led 25-22 at halftime, per the same recap. Yahoo Sports reported that the 25-22 halftime score was the lowest combined first-half total in WNBA Finals history, and that Atlanta's 55 points were the fewest by a Finals team since Phoenix in 2021, per Yahoo Sports.

How did the Valkyries win Game 5?

With defense and turnovers. Golden State forced 17 Atlanta turnovers, committed nine and scored 21 points off turnovers to Atlanta's six, per the Valkyries recap. The Valkyries blocked nine shots, which lifted their series total to 37, the most by any team in a single Finals series, per Yahoo Sports.

Kiah Stokes had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, including two third-quarter 3-pointers, per the Valkyries recap. She has recorded at least three blocks in six straight playoff games, per the same page. Veronica Burton added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, a playoff career high, and Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini each scored 12, per the recap.

What did Atlanta do, and what stood out?

The Dream shot 19 of 65 from the field, 29.2 percent, and 6 of 26 from three-point range, per Yahoo Sports. Rhyne Howard led all scorers with 20 points, including 11 in the third quarter. Angel Reese had 15 rebounds, 7 points and 5 assists on 2-of-8 shooting, per the same report.

When is Game 6, and what happens if Atlanta wins?

Game 6 is Thursday, October 29 at 9:30 a.m. Pacific at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, on USA and Peacock, per the Valkyries recap. A Valkyries win ends the series and gives the franchise its first championship, per the same page. If Atlanta wins, the series goes to Game 7 on Saturday, October 31, per CBS Sports.

What should Bay Area families do before Game 6?

The author notes that Game 6 tips off at 9:30 a.m. on a Thursday, during school hours for most families. Plan the viewing in advance, and use the run to talk with young players about the pathway into the league, which is covered in the Bay Area girls pathway post. Pay in the league is in the WNBA salaries guide, and why the franchise is valued the way it is appears in the Valkyries valuation guide.