Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are backed into a corner after a tough Game 5 loss in the Finals
The Dream had a chance to turn the series around, but a forgettable offensive performance left them on the brink of elimination.
Their own worst enemy. Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream had a major opportunity in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals: put their previous loss behind them and take the lead in the championship race. But things did not go as planned, leaving them in a difficult position at a time when they could least afford it.
On Monday, October 26, the Dream faced the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center in San Francisco , where fans packed the stands.
Angel Reese couldn't find her shot when it mattered most
Atlanta's star finished with just 7 points, making only 2 of her 8 field-goal attempts , a far cry from the offensive level she had displayed during some of her best performances in these Finals.
Foul trouble also complicated her night, limiting her playing time for much of the second quarter as Golden State's defense made it difficult for her to find room to attack. Even so, Reese contributed in other areas of the game, recording 15 rebounds and 5 assists .
After the game, Dream head coach Karl Smesko criticized the officiating, arguing that officials had allowed too much physical contact against Reese . His comments reflected Atlanta's frustration with the way its leading star was defended. However, the team's offensive struggles went well beyond Reese's performance.
The Valkyries capitalize on Atlanta's mistakes
If this game made one thing clear, it was that the Dream needed much more than a strong individual performance to pull through. Atlanta shot just 29.2% from the field and committed 17 turnovers , numbers that severely limited its chances of staying competitive until the final buzzer.
Rhyne Howard led Atlanta in scoring with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Jordin Canada added 12 points, while Allisha Gray finished with 10, but the offense never found the consistency needed to change the outcome.
Golden State, meanwhile, made the most of its defensive effort. Kiah Stokes contributed 13 points and three blocks, while Veronica Burton also scored 13 points and recorded four blocks. Together, they helped shut down Atlanta's attempts to build momentum and kept the game under control.
The first half ended with the Valkyries leading 25-22 , marking the lowest-scoring halftime in WNBA Finals history, according to the available game data.
The next game is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta . The Dream will have their home crowd behind them, but they will also face enormous pressure: they must win to tie the series and force a decisive Game 7.
