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Angel Reese’s defensive intensity gave the Atlanta Dream a spark in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, but it was not enough to prevent a 67-62 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, leaving the championship series tied 2-2. Reese finished with eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and three blocks. Her rejection of French star Gabby Williams in the first quarter became one of the game’s defining moments, showcasing the defensive presence and emotion that have helped fuel Atlanta’s Finals run.
The play also prompted a pointed observation from the NBC Sports broadcast. "You see the passion, you see the energy. That’s the difference in mentality for Atlanta,” the commentator said.
Angel Reese fires up Atlanta with statement block in a losing effort at the WNBA Finals
But by the final buzzer, Golden State had answered Atlanta’s recent surge with a crucial victory, ensuring the series would head into its next game level rather than leaving the Valkyries one loss away from elimination.
Reese’s defense makes an impression
With 2:28 remaining in the first quarter and Golden State leading 11-7, Williams brought the ball toward the basket with Reese tracking her closely. As Williams attempted to evade the Dream forward and finish at the rim, Reese swatted the shot away before it could reach the basket.
Reese celebrated the block before turning toward her teammates, visibly energized by the defensive stop.
The sequence reflected the approach she has brought to the series since Atlanta’s Game 1 defeat. After going scoreless in the second half of the opener, Reese said she needed to be more aggressive. The Dream subsequently responded with two victories to take a 2-1 lead.
In Game 4, Reese again made her presence felt defensively, recording three blocks and pulling down nine rebounds. Her eight points, however, came in a game where Atlanta struggled to generate enough offense to secure the win.
The defeat also complicated the Finals MVP conversation. Reese’s all-around contributions have made her one of the central figures in Atlanta’s run, but Golden State’s response means the series remains wide open.
Valkyries respond when the pressure rises
Golden State entered the Finals with one of the league’s strongest defensive identities, having posted a 99.3 defensive rating during the regular season. Gabby Williams earned All-Defensive First Team honors, while Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton were named to the Second Team.
That reputation came under pressure when Atlanta scored 97 points in Game 3, setting a Dream franchise record for points in a Finals game. The Valkyries, who had swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, now have a chance to build on their Game 4 performance.
Their 67-62 win demonstrated that they could slow Atlanta down after the Dream had found their rhythm offensively. The low-scoring result also underscored how dramatically the matchup shifted from Game 3. This time, Atlanta could not translate its energy into enough points to maintain control of the series.
The 67-62 result changes the pressure on both teams. Atlanta missed its opportunity to take a 3-1 lead, while Golden State avoided falling into a difficult position heading into the next game. The challenge for Angel Reese is to maintain her defensive impact while helping the Dream find more scoring against a Valkyries team that rediscovered its defensive edge.