The Atlanta Dream fell to a 3-2 deficit in the WNBA Finals on Monday evening, as the Golden State Valkyries took Game Five 64-55. Although the Dream took a 2-1 series lead after winning Game Three 97-71 at home, Golden State won games four and five in dominating fashion.
The Valkyries won Game Four in Atlanta 67-62, led by Gabby Williams, who had 17 points and five rebounds. Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton also added 13 points a-piece. Golden State returned to San Francisco for Game Five, and Kiah Stokes and Burton combined for 26 points and 16 rebounds. Perhaps most impressive was Stokes' offensive performance of 13 points. Previously, she had averaged 3.3 points a game, primarily a defensive specialist.
In both contests, former South Carolina Gamecock Allisha Gray has been quiet on offense. In Game Four, she was held to five points, and shot 1-for-7 from the floor. Golden State's defense also held Angel Reese to just eight points on the night. Gray didn't have a better day in Game Five. She finished with 10 points and just one rebound, going 4-for-12 from the floor.
Now, the series returns to Atlanta where the Dream will be looking to hold off elimination in Game Six. The game will be played in Atlanta at State Farm Arena at 12:30 p.m. ET to accommodate the Atlanta Hawks' home game scheduled for Thursday evening. Despite attempts to find an alternate location for the game, it was moved to the afternoon slot to accommodate the NBA's schedule.
While it will feel strange to have such a big game in the middle of the day during the week, Gray says she and her team will not be affected by the time.
"It's the Finals. We just got to do what we've got to do," Gray said via ESPN. "We are locked in on winning Game 6 whether it's 8 a.m., 10 p.m., midnight. We got a championship to win."
Thursday's game will air live on USA Network and E!, and it will also stream live on Peacock. The Dream and Valkyries are both playing for their first-ever WNBA Final Trophy in franchise history. Previously, the Dream made it to the finals three times but failed to win a title.
If necessary, Game 7 will be played in San Francisco.
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