The Golden State Valkyries are lost.
In Games 2 and 3 of the 2026 WNBA Finals, they have been absolutely dominated, unable to score or stop the Atlanta Dream.
Golden State hasn’t lost three-consecutive games all year, but that fun fact offers little solace given their current state of play. To avoid dropping a third-straight game in the WNBA Finals, a 180-degree turnaround will have to happen.
The good news is there is still time. A victory in Game 4 will even the series and again give the Valkyries
homecourt advantage. Here’s how they can get that done.
The Valkyries have to back that top defense
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase wanted more intensity and focus from her defense in Game 3. Postgame, she mentioned that she got it, but it wasn’t enough.
The Dream scored 97 points, shooting 49 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line. That defense will not win a title for the Valkyries.
As Gabby Williams said:
They scored 97. We have no chance. We have to just go back to our defense and that will get our offense going.
While Atlanta has won thanks to team effort, it’s clear Angel Reese is their MVP. She took 12 shots in Game 3, more than any other Dream player. Reese was sensational, making 58 percent of her shots and 100 percent of her free throws and outside jumpers.
Stopping Reese is an impossibility, but slowing her down can happen.
Golden State has to make that priority No. 1. That means being as aggressive as possible with Reese, denying her the ball, having guards sink down onto her and ensuring that, when she does get the ball, players double and force it out of her hands.
Everything Reese gets has to be earned. So far, the Valkyries have allowed her to dictate the terms.
It’s Gabby Williams time!
A team can’t win a WNBA title with the power of friendship. Typically, you need a dominant player. Why? Because when things get tough, and points are hard to come by, the best in the world can score when no one else can.
The Valkyries might not have a player of that caliber, but Williams has played the part.
She has the most points this postseason and is shooting 35.8 percent from deep. In Game 3, she led the Valkyries in scoring with 15 points, but struggled, shooting 5-for-18 from the field.
Williams has a lot on her offensive plate, but that’s what’s required for the Valkyries to win.
She has to score in bunches, distribute the ball well and limit turnovers. The Dream have Reese stepping up to win games, and the Valkyries need Williams to do the same for them.
Can Golden State be road warriors?
Winning playoff games is tough. On the road it’s even harder. That means winning the basketball minutia is critical.
Golden State has to stay focused and avoid arguments with the Dream or officials. The Valkyries need to win the battle of the boards and capitalize on their trips to the line. Even in the best-case scenario, they probably can’t outscore the Dream in the paint, but they can certainly do better than in Game 3, when they lost 44-20 in that category.
All of this is easier said than done.
But the Valkyries have defied the odds for their entire existence.
They had the best year of any expansion team ever in 2025. Now it’s 2026, and they are three wins away from a championship. If they check off all of these keys, they’ll be just two away from glory and heading home.
