If defense were as celebrated as offense, Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes would be in the conversation for WNBA Finals MVP.
Rest assured, her team knows how valuable she is as the backbone of the Valkyries' suffocating defense. Stokes reminded Golden State getting back into the championships series against the Atlanta Dream, down 2-1 going into Game 4, would mean getting back to their identity: tenacious defense, aggression, energy and physicality.
"We just really emphasized coming out strong. We just wanted to make sure nothing was easy for Atlanta," Stokes said. "The last couple games, we kind of allowed them to punch first. We just wanted to make that effort to just make sure that we were the aggressors.”
Stokes did just that by holding
Dream forward Angel Reese to eight points in a 67-62 Game 4 victory on Saturday, Oct. 24. The best-of-seven series is now tied 2-2 and headed back to San Francisco for Game 5 on Monday, Oct. 26.
In the previous two games, both loses, the Valkyries allowed the Dream to score 176 combined points. Stokes reminded her teammates they had home-court advantage and needed one win in Atlanta to change the series dynamic.
"The one thing that I had told the team after the last game is the goal ... just steal one on the road. So yeah, we lost on (Wednesday)," Stokes said. "But to me, that doesn’t mean we’re out of anything because our goal could still be accomplished if we won today and then we go back home and now it’s a best-of-three series.
"It was just shake it off and learn from it and then just get ready because nothing was won or lost in Game 3."
Her stats in Game 4 included a modest four points on 2-for-5 shooting. She added a substantial contribution on the defensive end. Stokes pulled down a playoff career-high 16 rebounds and recorded three blocks, becoming the first player in WNBA Finals history to have at least three blocks in four consecutive games.
Stokes held Angel Reese to 2-of-10 from the field when she was the primary defender. She's took it upon herself to stop Reese, who had had three double-doubles to open the Finals. When Reese is guarded by other Valkyrie defenders, she shoots 68%. By contrast, Stokes has held Reese to 22% shooting.
"She’s been the head of the snake (for Atlanta) all series. So for me, it was just trying to make every look that she had at the basket difficult," Stokes said about guarding Reese. "It’s a tough job, but I think being our best defensive big, I gotta own up to that challenge, but like I said, it was just trying to make her take difficult shots."
The 33-year-old has done everything that Golden State has asked. She's come to the Bay Area with her championship experience, having been a part of the Las Vegas Aces' three titles in 2022, 2023 and 2025. And Stokes' experience has been the X-factor for the Valkyries during their postseason run.
Stokes is hardly an option on offense but that's perfectly fine. She fills her role on that end with the details that have lasting impact. You need a strong screen, Stokes got you. If there's a missed shot, Stokes is there on the offensive glass for clean up. When someone penetrates and draws extra defenders, passing to Stokes is an automatic assist.
She plays winning basketball. Her resume proves that. It's why head coach Natalie Nakase, a former assistant with the Aces, wanted to bring the veteran on board with what the Valkyries were building, fitting the team culture and identity.
"She feels really connected [with Golden State], even though this is her first year with our team. The fact that I always see her with a smile on her face, but more importantly, she's a pro," Nakase said. "She does an amazing job of not letting outside noise get to her. Kiah leads by example for our team, and I think that's really important because she's been through the WNBA Finals many times.
"She actually doesn't like attention, and so with that type of star mentality, I think that's really what keeps us really focused."
Stokes is having a historic run on the biggest stage in women's basketball. She passed Sylvia Fowles and Brittney Griner for the most blocks (14) in a WNBA Finals series on Saturday. With at least two games to play, she can extend the record.
"Honestly, that’s kinda cool to hear, but I just hang my head on defense. I like to block shots," Stokes said of the blocks record. "Obviously, they got me on a few pump fakes and I got some fouls, but that’s just, I’m trying to be the last line of defense for our team that allows my guards to bring the pressure a little more. I know they have confidence that I have their backs. So just trying to do what I can do."
Stokes did not receive a vote for 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, but in the Finals she's showing the voters why she might have been overlooked. It's poetic her defensive performance comes while guarding Reese, the recipient of the league's award.
Stokes emboldened her team with her presence. She's the defensive anchor and experienced veteran that's made all the difference in the series and so far, the Valkyries have reaped the benefits.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kiah Stokes is shutting down Angel Reese. Is she the Valkyries' Finals MVP?
