For the first time in the 2026 Finals series against the Golden State Valkyries, Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese couldn’t find her rhythm, as a 6’3” defensive powerhouse stood in her way. Valkyries big Kiah Stokes had the night of her life as her elite defense held back the Dream’s deadliest playoff weapon, allowing the Golden State to equalize the series before the teams head back to San Francisco for Game 5. The 33-year-old center gave a confident assessment of her performance after the game.
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Stokes, who was on Reese duty all night, was asked what her mindset was going into the game, knowing that she would have to defend the Dream’s highest postseason scorer. Stokes, sitting alongside Gabby Williams at the postgame press conference, answered with the confidence that holding a player to their series-low brings.
“She’s been the head of the snake all series, so for me it was just trying to make every look that she had in the basket difficult. It’s a tough job, but I think being our best defensive big, I got to own up to that challenge. Like I said, it was just trying to make her take the difficult shots.”
It seemed like wherever Angel Reese looked, Stokes was there, ready to swat the ball away before Reese could make an easy shot. Stokes’ defense made sure this was the first game in this playoff series where Reese was unable to record a double-double. Stokes’ one-on-one pressure forced Reese into difficult looks, resulting in 2-of-12 shooting from the field and missing the one three-pointer that she attempted.
Angel Reese, best known for her rebounding, also couldn’t grab her usual double-digit boards because of the stifling Valkyries defense. She was held to just nine rebounds, a far cry from her 16 and 12 rebounds in Games 2 and 3. Stokes, on the other hand, had a game-high 16 rebounds across 31 minutes of play.
Reese, whose ball-handling usually doesn’t allow turnovers, was forced into giving up a game-high six turnovers. The Dream as a whole allowed 18 turnovers, conceding an expensive 16 points, and was held to 33% shooting from the field. Even Angel Reese herself, after Game 4, admitted that her scoring was not what it should have been.
“I think it was me, I think I rushed a lot on my shots and I didn’t take my time and finish around the basket like I’ve been doing the last three games,” Reese said. “It happens and I’m just looking forward to the next game and just do it.”
But despite Reese’s shortcomings in Game 4, we can’t overlook the outstanding performance Kiah Stokes put in this postseason, showing what made the Valkyries the highest-rated defense in the regular season.
Kiah Stokes makes WNBA history while defending Angel Reese in Game 4
When a reporter broke the news to Williams and Stokes that the latter had made history in Game 4 by having the most blocks in a Finals series, Williams broke into a smile and turned to her teammate to shake her hand in congratulations.
Stokes has been incredible on defense for the Valkyries in all four games against the Dream so far. The defensive big has averaged 3.5 blocks in the series so far. She made four blocks in Games 1 and 2, while making three in Games 3 and 4. This makes her the only player in WNBA history to have two or more blocks in four back-to-back games.
“That’s kinda cool to hear, but I just hang my head on defense,” Stokes said. “I like to block shots. Obviously, they got me on a few pump fakes and I got some fouls.”
Stokes got called for five fouls over the course of Game 4, but she still managed to stay in the game, making herself a constant problem for Angel Reese.
“I’m trying to be the last line of defense for our team that allows my guards to bring the pressure a little more,” Stokes added. “I know they have confidence that I have their backs. So just trying to do what I can do.”
Game 4 saw the Valkyries look like the team that clinched the No. 2 spot coming into the playoffs. They played some gritty basketball, with solid player-on-player defense, ensuring that the Dream did not get a clear look at the basket. While Stokes was able to score only four points, the scoring torch was taken up by Gabby Williams, who added an essential 17 points in the 67-62 Valkyries win. Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton added another 13 points each, while Cecilia Zandalasini came off the bench to add another 10 points.
The series score now stands at 2-2 as the action shifts back to the Chase Center, where Angel Reese and Co. will face a roaring Ballhalla crowd once again. The Valkyries will hope to use this home-court advantage and the momentum from this win to win the next two matchups, closing out the series to become the youngest franchise ever to win a WNBA championship.