Meghan L. Hall

Angel Reese on Game 6 and losing: “I don’t think it’s not gone rain too much longer for us … we’re just gonna take it one game at a time.” Reese said the shots will fall and sometimes it’s a little bit harder to get what you want.

Kiah Stokes on Game 7: “At the end of the day, we just need 94 feet, 2 hoops, and each other.” “Atlanta is a great team, and we don't want to give them basically any life. So as much as we love Ballhalla, we don't want to come back here … It's do or die.”

Golden State won the pound-for-pound battle on Monday night. Heavyweight bought? No problem. Kiah Stokes legacy series? Happening. “It’s very nice to have Kiah in my back line,” Veronica Burton said just now at the podium.

Valkyries take Game 5, 64-52. “Kiah!” chants raining down for Kiah Stokes, who has 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. “MVP” chants now raining down for Stokes, while I type this. GS had 4 in double digits. ATL had 3, lead by Rhyne Howard who had 20 points.

Valkyries lead 25-22 at halftime. Veronica Burton leads all scorers with 9 points, six rebounds. GS shooting 30%. Rhyne Howard has 6 for the Dream and a block. Atlanta shooting 23.5%

Dream lead 14-13 after 1. But, friends. It’s gross. Dream shooting 26%. Valkyries shooting 29%. Angel Reese leads all scorers with 5 points and 6 rebounds.

A Valkyries fan’s sign: “Move the Hawks game. Women = Prime Time”

Here we go. Game 5 is here. Let’s do this.

Valkyries keep their same lineup from Game 4 (which was a switch-up). Charles, Hayes, Stokes, Williams and Burton.

📍SAN FRANCISCO. Angel Reese is out getting shots up.

Natalie Nakase on her delivery changing to the Valkyries during the first 3 games: “I took a breath … I want it so bad, so quickly … it’s delivering my message a little bit more slow, more clear.”

Natalie Nakase on the Valkyries have 0 All-WNBA players: “Our team is our strength … strength in numbers … it’s hard to scout when you have so many options … no one wants credit on this team.”

Karl Smesko on Game 6 of the Finals: “I’m excited that they got it figured out … And that Atlanta's gonna get to pack a big arena to see us play in the finals.” Smesko, jokingly, on the timing: “I'd like to see it be a national holiday for all WNBA championship games.”

WNBA Finals Game 6 at State Farm Arena? Yes. The start time? 12:30 p.m ET on Thursday.

For now, the venue for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals remains uncertain. USA TODAY tackles some of the top questions people have about the logistics what’s happening with Game 6:

Currently me. Just landed in SF (again) and had to switch.

Anybody else keep two kinds of headphones on them at all times? I have over the ear and in-ear because sometimes my in-ear causes too much pressure/are a little *too* noise cancelling.

Forgot to post my Game 3 fit. Broke out a lace and wine-colored look. Different for me, but got a lot of compliments.

“Before the game, I just talked to the team about ... not having regrets.” The Valkyries found their fight in Game 4. A lineup shakeup — and a good talking to — changed their momentum.

Golden State gets a gritty Game 4 win. 67-62. Forces a Game 6. Evens the series. Shakeup worked for Natalie Nakase and, Valkyries showed fight despite nearly letting Dream back in late. Column coming shortly.

Game 4 is here. Here we go.

Here’s the 2026 All-WNBA teams: FIRST TEAM: A’ja Wilson Olivia Miles Kelsey Mitchell Breanna Stewart Caitlin Clark SECOND TEAM: Paige Bueckers Jackie Young Angel Reese Rhyne Howard Shakira Austin

The Valkyries switch up their starting lineup. Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles get the start in place of Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini. Lineup is Charles, Hayes, Kiah Stokes, Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton.

Game 4 sights.

Natalie Nakase on finding the balance of wanting to win so bad with composure: “I need to be better in the huddles …” Says she’s had to adjust with not giving so much of her “fiery self.” Also Nakase: “We (need to) take a breath … we’ve kinda been punching too early.”

📍ATLANTA. White out here at State Farm Arena today.

Amber Cox is out as the Fever’s GM. The leadership shakeup in Indiana is in full swing. Here’s what we also know about the future of head coach Stephanie White:

A source with direct knowledge of the situation tells USA TODAY that the Indiana Fever are firing general manager Amber Cox. @anniecostabile.bsky.social was first. Story to come.

Gabby Williams on her passionate huddle speech after Game 3 to her teammates: “I’ve been a little bit too loose as a leader … I think I’ve been a little bit too much of ‘It’s alright. We’ll figure it out. We’re good’ …so, I just wanted to show my team something different.”

📍COLLEGE PARK. Valkyries practice.

USA TODAY’s Studio IX podcast is back with thoughts on WNBA Finals Games 1 to 3. 🏀 Can the Dream win it all? 🏀 How can the Valkyries get a W? 🏀 Did we change our series predictions? 👀

NEWS: Indiana Fever president Kelly Krauskopf will step down from her role. According to Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Krauskopf made her decision and informed leadership before the end of the 2026 WNBA regular season.

“I think you become one of the greats and you become one of the best when you can win and impact winning.” With every accomplishment, Angel Reese silences critics. Her WNBA Finals run could be just the start. ✍🏾 @calliefin.bsky.social on Reese quieting the noise.

Did not get the chance to post my Game 3 fit last night Went with another (mostly monochrome) look. Brown/black with silver/black/white J’s.

“It's me hyping myself up, but I want you scared of (expletive).” Angel Reese is the thermometer of the WNBA Finals. If you can’t match her energy, you’re cooked.

WiFi was absolutely terrible here in State Farm, but Atlanta goes up 2-1 with an impressive 97-71 win. Will have a column shortly on the Dream’s Game 3 win.

Here we go. Game 3 is here.

The Atlanta Dream announce that have they have moved Enes Kanter Freedom to a private suite following concerns he expressed. Kanter Freedom was originally anticipated to be sitting courtside.

Karl Smesko is out watching Angel Reese warm up for Game 3

Natalie Nakase on Game 2: “I did not like our fight …” Called it probably the worst “fight” of the season. Nakase said “no” when asked if she liked anything from the game. Says she “yelled” at even the bench.

Viewership reportedly peaked at 3 million.

NEWS (From NBC): Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals averaged 2.1 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, making it the most-watched WNBA Finals Game 1 ever. Dream vs. Valkyries is up 11% vs. last year’s Game 1 between Mercury and Aces.

“Going into the locker room, the first person I made eye contact with was Angel, and I'm like, ‘Oh I like this look. I like this look.’” Angel Reese was on a mission in Game 2. She wasn’t going back to Atlanta without a W. ✍🏾: @calliefin.bsky.social has more.

Valkyries presser had lots of questions about the turnovers. Golden State had 18, the most all season. Veronica Burton put a lot of responsibility on herself and also said the Dream “out-hustled” the Valkyries on a lot of plays.