Kiah Stokes just put her name next to the greatest rim protectors the WNBA has ever seen. The Golden State Valkyries center blocked three more shots in a 67-62 Game 4 win over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, tying the WNBA Finals at 2-2, as first reported by ClutchPoints.
According to the WNBA, Stokes is the first player in Finals history with 3+ blocks in four straight games. She also passed Sylvia Fowles and Brittney Griner for the most total blocks in a single WNBA Finals.
Her full line: 4 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. Not flashy on the scoreboard. Massive on the floor.
How Golden State Got It Done
The Valkyries built a 42-27 halftime lead and held off an Atlanta rally after the break. Gabby Williams led the way with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Veronica Burton and Tiffany Hayes added 13 each, and Cecilia Zandalasini chipped in 10 points and 3 steals.
Atlanta came in up 2-1. Now it’s a best-of-three.
The IAHHM Take
Stokes is the kind of player casual fans scroll past and real hoopers respect. Sixteen boards and a record-breaking block streak in a game where both teams struggled to score? That’s the whole difference.
The bigger picture is wild too. This is the Valkyries’ first trip to the Finals, and they’re now two wins from a title. On the other side, Atlanta has a Southern fanbase that’s been waiting a long time for this moment. Somebody’s history is getting made this week.
Game 5 tips Monday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. ET in Golden State. Who you got: the Valkyries’ defense or the Dream’s bounce-back?
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Source: ClutchPoints
