Frustration for Angel Reese: the Valkyries storm Atlanta and level the Finals again

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream (62-67) in the fourth game of the WNBA Finals played this Saturday, thanks to their stars Gabby Williams and Ceci Zandalasini returning to their best form (17 and 10 points respectively) and tying the series for the championship ring (2-2).

The California team responded to the pressure after suffering two heavy defeats in a row, in a game in which they gave the home side no chance at any point, as they lost their first home game in the "playoffs" this season.

The Valkyries' strong defense on Angel Reese did not allow her to shine as she had in previous games, and she ended up with a poor 2/12 from the field.

After suffering their worst defeat of the season in Game 3 of the Finals (-26 points), coach NatalieNakase made two changes to Golden State's starting lineup, bringing in Tiff Hayes and Kaila Charles in search of greater offensive efficiency, leaving Italian player Zandalasini on the bench.

However, the plan did not work because the start followed the pattern of the last few matchups: no accuracy for the Californians and the Dream came out firing.

After a timeout by Nakase midway through the first half, and above all with the introduction of Cecilia Zandalasini onto the court, the Valkyries' energy changed on defense (with four consecutive steals and holding star Reese to 0 points in the first quarter) and, on offense, with a 12-0 run.

The intensity increased in the second period, and Golden State's two biggest stars showed up when their team needed them most.

"Ceci," with a nice drive through the middle, added a 2+1, which, together with the contribution of forward Gabby Williams (with seven almost consecutive points), gave the visitors their biggest lead on the scoreboard up to that point (+16).

Atlanta got a taste of its own medicine. It is the team that steals the most balls per game in the American league, but in the first half its 14 turnovers. doomed it.

In the restart, the Dream looked more like the energetic team that had come in on a two-game winning streak to rally in the series. A wing three-pointer by Australian Borlase cut the deficit to just 6 points (40-46).

But the "Violets" showed character and responded every time Atlanta got closer on the scoreboard to keep their distance.

In the final minutes, with the home side pouring forward urged on by their crowd, Tiff Hayes put the team on her back with productive drives to the basket, and a long-range three-pointer by Burton gave Golden State some breathing room (55-64 with 4:19 remaining).

The excitement lasted until the end. Rhyne Howard answered with an and-one to Veronica Burton's fade-away with 28 seconds remaining and Atlanta trailing by four, but two consecutive missed three-pointers by the home team sealed the victory for the Valkyries.

Next Monday they will return to San Francisco for the fifth game, which will be played at the Valhalla arena to break the tie in a finals series that will be decided in a best-of-seven format.

Technical sheet

62 – Dream (11+15+19+17): Canada (10), Gray (5), Reese (8), Howard (19), Hillmon (6) -starting lineup-, Bonner (4), Borlase (10), Koné (-), Okot (-), Paopao (-) and Walker-Kimbrough (-).

67 – Valkyries (16+26+12+13): Burton (13), Williams (17), Hayes (13), Charles (5), Stokes (4) -starting lineup-, Thornton (3), Zandalasini (10), Gueye (-), Chen (-), Salaun (2), Amihere (-) and Jocyte (-).

Referees: Roy Gulbeyan, Tim Greene and Marcy Williams.

Notes: game corresponding to the fourth match of the WNBA Finals at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta (United States).