Kiah Stokes matched a WNBA postseason blocking record on October 26, 2026, then supplied an extra twist from the three-point line. At Chase Center in San Francisco, she helped the Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Stokes finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Those blocks made this her sixth consecutive game with at least three in the same postseason, equalling Lisa Leslie’s mark from 2003. The record links two playoff runs separated by 23 years.
A streak built on repeated stops
The WNBA’s official Game 5 coverage identifies the six-game sequence and Leslie comparison. Yahoo Sports’ match report independently confirms the milestone. This is a record for consecutive games within a single postseason, a distinction that matters when describing precisely what Stokes equalled.
A three-block performance on its own can shape a close game. Repeating that minimum six times requires it to survive from one game to the next. In this case, the latest three blocks also came in a Finals victory that put Golden State one win from the championship.
The official box score confirms the headline totals: 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Her scoring and defensive contributions sit side by side in the same line, rather than belonging to separate standout games.
Three blocks, but also three threes
The other striking number was three: Stokes made three of her four three-point attempts. USA TODAY’s Game 5 takeaways confirms both that shooting line and the block-streak record. Nine of her 13 points therefore came from beyond the arc.
The three long-range makes accounted for more than half of her own scoring. Her work near one basket was accompanied by scoring from well outside the other. The combination gives this particular record-tying performance an unusual balance between rim protection and long-range shooting.
The WNBA’s live updates described her third three-pointer as a new season high for made threes, including regular-season and playoff games. NBC Sports Bay Area’s report also highlights the three makes alongside her 13 points and eight rebounds.
A small score, a large series swing
Golden State led just 25-22 at halftime. The combined 47 points were the lowest first-half total in WNBA Finals history, according to the league’s recap and Yahoo’s report. That narrow opening helps explain the importance of finding additional scoring wherever it appeared.
Stokes provided it while keeping her blocking sequence intact. The result moved the Valkyries ahead in the series, but did not settle the championship: their Game 5 win left them needing one more victory.
Sources and further reading
- WNBA: official Game 5 recap and live updates
- WNBA: official Game 5 box score
- Yahoo Sports: Ryan Young and Cassandra Negley on Game 5
- USA TODAY via Yahoo Sports: Game 5 takeaways
- NBC Sports Bay Area via Yahoo Sports: Angelina Martin’s report
