Kiah Stokes’ Game 5 Breakout Puts Valkyries One Win from WNBA Title

GOLDEN STATE “HUSKIES” ON THE BRINK OF A WNBA TITLE

Kiah Stokes has played in just as many big games as any other UConn star. Despite being a three-time national champion and three-time WNBA champion, Stokes doesn’t receive the same recognition as players like Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart because of her mastery of “the little things.” 

Those “little things” include contested shots, blocked shots, and being a true leader on the defensive end. According to @ESPNInsights, the Dream are shooting just 9-of-48 (18.7%) from the field and 0-of-8 from three when contested by Stokes through five games in the WNBA Finals. That is the Kiah Stokes side that has made her so valuable in her 10-year WNBA career.

However, this postseason Stokes has emerged offensively and her latest act has the Golden State Valkyries on the brink of capturing the franchise’s first WNBA title in just its second season. In Monday night’s Game 5, Stokes scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including sinking a playoff career-high three triples on four attempts, while adding eight rebounds, one assist and three blocks to lead the Golden State Valkyries to a 64-55 Game 5 victory and a 3-2 WNBA Finals series lead. Stokes has now recorded at least three blocks for the sixth consecutive game, tying Lisa Leslie (2003) for the longest such streak in a single postseason in WNBA history. 

Tiffany Hayes posted 12 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, Gabby Williams was held to single-digit points for the first time this season as she recorded nine points on 3-of-14 shooting with six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Kaityln Chen was scoreless in three minutes. 

After scoring the game’s first basket, Stokes converted a layup off a feed from Williams for an early 6-4 Golden State lead. On the Valkyries next possession, Williams knocked in a turnaround jumper while being fouled. She missed the free throw but the lead doubled to 8-4.

Hayes was the only Husky to contribute any Valkyrie points in the second quarter. First on a layup, then on an assist that led to a Cecilia Zandalasni three pointer. Both teams struggled from the field in the first half as Golden State took a 25-22 halftime lead.

Less than two minutes into the third quarter, Hayes drove to the lane, then kicked it to the corner for Stokes’ first three-pointer of the ballgame. Moments later, Hayes crossed over Angel Reese for an easy layup, extending Golden State’s lead to 32-24 and forcing the Dream to call a timeout. After Rhyne Howard delivered a three-pointer for the Dream, Stokes answered the bell, connecting on a top of the key triple to bring the Valkyrie lead back to five, 41-36.

Golden State’s first basket of the fourth quarter came off an aggressive downhill attack from Williams, who made an off-balanced layup while being fouled. She made the free throw for a 49-42 advantage. Nearly two minutes later, Stokes sent the Ballhala into a frenzy after making another corner three-pointer and giving her team a double-digit lead, 52-42.

The 13-point effort by Stokes was just the third double-digit playoff performance of her career. She scored a playoff-career high of 21 points in the 2015 Eastern Conference with the New York Liberty. She also scored 11 points in this year’s Game 3 semifinal round against the Las Vegas Aces.

SPENCER, GRIZZLIES REMAIN UNBEATEN 

Cam Spencer continued to be efficient as always on Monday night after rattling off eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-3 from the three-point line, along with five rebounds and five assists with zero turnovers in just 18 minutes off the bench. Those efforts helped the Memphis Grizzlies to a 110-105 victory over the Utah Jazz and stay undefeated at 4-0. 

Through four games so far this season, Spencer is shooting 13-of-25 (52.%) from the field, 9-of-15 (60.0%) from three with nine assists and zero turnovers.

HAWKINS MAKES CHICAGO BULLS DEBUT

With just under seven minutes left in the Chicago Bulls’ 134-99 loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday night, Jordan Hawkins checked in to make his team’s debut. Hawkins’ first shot attempt was a fadeaway jumper that he drilled while being fouled by two Boston defenders. Later in the quarter, Hawk knocked down a pull-up jumper.He finished with four points on 2-of-3 shooting with one rebound in seven minutes.

Yesterday, the Windy City Bulls, the Chicago Bulls’ G League affiliate, announced Hawkins will be on their training camp roster, which is not a surprise since the former Husky star signed a two-way deal with the team earlier this month. Once the G League season begins next week, Hawkins will be playing for Windy City.

Liam McNeeley (Charlotte Hornets)

• MONDAY: Did not play (Coach’s Decision). The Hornets (3-1) defeated the Washington Wizards 110-103.

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