After a second win in a row against the Atlanta Dream, the Valks are one game away from securing the championship title.

Oct 26, 2026

Updated Oct 28, 2026

Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (41) catches the ball as Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada (3) guards her during game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)

After an action-packed WNBA Finals Game 5, the Golden State Valkyries took care of business in Ballhalla on Monday — and are now one game away from taking home the championship title. 

In what’s been a closely-balanced competition, the Valkyries carried the momentum garnered in Game 4 for a hard-fought 64-55 victory, giving them a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Dream. It’s an incredible rebound for Golden State after a 26-point loss in Game 3.

They now return to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday, the first in the league’s history, after breaking free from the best-of-five format.

Golden State Valkyries center Aminata Gueye (31) and Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) walk off the court after the Valkyries defeat the Atlanta Dream in game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)

Hida Howard holds her three-year-old daughter Alaina Howard as the Golden State Valkyries play the Atlanta Dream in game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026.

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) reacts to a call as the Golden State Valkyries play the Atlanta Dream in game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026.

Game 5 started off with a solid first half — the Valkyries sought to get inside the paint and isolate Atlanta star Angel Reese. Players on both teams were working hard and it showed, energy appeared to dip in the second quarter, with the lowest scoring first half in WNBA finals history. 

While the third quarter is typically a weak one for the Valkyries, they didn’t have that problem in Game 5, where they scored 8 points in minutes, bringing an energy not seen in previous games. Center Kiah Stokes was a powerful force, shutting down Reese and picking up blocks while leading the Valks with a pair of three-pointers. 

By the fourth quarter, tension in the stadium was amped all the way up. Fans let out a massive roar when it was announced they had two minutes left with a 14 point lead. Golden State held on throughout the night, limiting Reese to 7 points and carrying a nine point win.

“They’re an incredible team,” Camillo said. “Of course, so are the Dream, even if they’re going to lose.” 

Some fans traveled to Atlanta for the last two games — including Valkyries guard Hayes’ father, Renard, who told KQED after Game 4, “We want to beat them bad.”

“We want to send them back home with the thought in their mind, like, ‘These guys are too good for us,’” Hayes said. 

Others traveled from Georgia, like Sug Parker, the former high school basketball coach of the Dream’s guard Allisha Gray. 

“It’s absolutely amazing just going back and watching her grow as a player from high school, college and now in the pros and she’s in the finals?” Parker said. “It is beyond exciting.”

Golden State Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini (24) cheers during the fourth quarter in game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026.

The Golden State Valkyries bench reacts as they play the Atlanta Dream in game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026.

Zendaya attends game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026.

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) attempts a free throw as the Golden State Valkyries play the Atlanta Dream in game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Oct. 26, 2026.

Players and fans on both sides are also shaking off an embarrassing oversight surrounding the scheduling and planning around the potentially championship-clinching Game 6 — which lacked a venue until Monday morning.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that Game 6 would tip off at State Farm Arena on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time, as not to conflict with the Atlanta Hawks game later that evening. 

Veronica Burton, who scored 13 points in Monday’s game, jokingly told fans during the post-game conference to call in sick on Thursday. Some fans who could adjust their workdays were already on it. 

“We already rescheduled meetings we had Thursday morning,” said Kristen Rothballer, at Chase Stadium Monday night. “We’re with them through the end.” 

KQED’s Sydney Johnson contributed to this report.