Valkyries Beat Dream 64-55 to Take 3-2 WNBA Finals Lead as Officiating Is Disputed

The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 64-55 on Monday in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, taking a 3-2 series lead and moving one win from the title. Kiah Stokes had 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Veronica Burton added 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, as Golden State's defense held Angel Reese to seven points. Reese finished with 15 rebounds and five assists but was whistled for three offensive fouls. Dream coach Karl Smesko said officials missed a "ridiculous" amount of contact against Reese. The series shifts back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.

The left-leaning Guardian led with the Valkyries' win, Stokes's and Burton's defense and the crowd, quoting Burton's praise for Stokes and Reese's remark that she still believed her team could win. Its opening does not mention the officiating complaints. The right-leaning Fox News led with Smesko's criticism of the refereeing, quoting Reese questioning the officials and highlighting possible missed double-dribble and traveling calls against the Valkyries. Daily Mail, also right-leaning, focused on Reese's first-quarter elbow to Kayla Thornton, which drew only a common foul, and on fans who said it should have been a flagrant foul or reviewed. Both sides report the 64-55 score, Reese's seven points and Smesko's comments, but the left emphasizes Golden State's play while the right emphasizes the officiating. Alternative/independent ESPN led with Stokes and Golden State's defense, closely matching the left's angle.