Angel Reese had her worst game of the WNBA Finals at the worst time. In Game 4 on Saturday she shot 2 for 12 with six turnovers, and the Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 67-62 at State Farm Arena to tie the series at 2-2.
Five days earlier, in Game 2, Reese had scored 30 points with 16 rebounds in a 79-65 Atlanta win. The Dream are in their first Finals since 2013, and the best-of-seven series now turns on Monday’s game.
Golden State forced 17 Atlanta turnovers and committed nine of its own, turning them into 16 points. Kiah Stokes guarded Reese and finished with 16 rebounds and three blocks. Reese had eight points.
“She’s been the head of their snake all series,” Stokes said. “So for me, it was just trying to make every look she had at the basket difficult.”
Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 17 points. She said she had not liked how she played in Game 3 and credited a postgame speech she gave afterward for the turnaround. Coach Natalie Nakase said her team “took a breath” and learned how to play in a loud arena.
Reese pointed to the free-throw line, where Atlanta made 22 of 31. “We make all our free throws, we win the game,” she said.
Game 5 is Monday night at Chase Center in San Francisco.
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