Borlase's heroics not enough as Valkyries win Game 4

Australian star Izzy Borlase's path to a WNBA Championship crown with the Atlanta Dream just got trickier after the Golden State Valkyries hit back to level the Finals series at 2-2 in Atlanta.

The visitors turned up the defensive heat, limiting Atlanta superstar Angel Reese to just eight points as they won 67-62 on Sunday AEST, rebounding strongly from a 26-point loss in Game 3 for their first victory since Game 1. 

Gabby Williams scored 17 points for Golden State while centre Kiah Stokes led the gritty defence, which gave the Dream few second-chance opportunities.

Reese had averaged 25.5 points in the previous two games but was forced to struggle, making only 2 of 12 shots from the field and missing 10 of her 12 shots in the fourth quarter, including some layups.

"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."

Playing her rookie WNBA season, 22-year-old Opals guard Borlase came off the bench to play 22 minutes for Atlanta and was productive, scoring 10 points and grabbing two steals and two rebounds. 

With Reese struggling, forward Rhyne Howard led the Dream scorers with 19 points.

But the Dream now have to head back to California for Game 5 in the best-of-seven game series.

"We just had to have more fight, more grit, and get back to us," said Tiffany Hayes, who was promoted to the Golden State starting lineup and scored 13 second-half points.

"We still made a few mistakes, but at the end of the day we played hard, and we came out with the win."

The Valkyries powered to a 42-26 halftime lead but Atlanta managed to peg them back to 61-55 midway through the final quarter to the delight of home fans, and they trailed just 66-62 with 28 seconds left.

But Veronica Burton (13 points) made a free throw, and the hosts were unable to convert at the other end as the Valkyries held on.

Along with her 16 rebounds, Stokes finished with three blocks and now has a WNBA Finals record of 14 in the four games, surpassing the old record of 12 by Brittney Griner and Sylvia Fowles. 

"She (Reese) has been the head of their snake all series, so for me it was just trying to make every look that she had of the basket difficult," Stokes said. "It's a tough job, but I think being our best defensive big, I've got to own up to that challenge."

Borlase is one of three WNBL stars involved in this series, with Townsville’s Miela Sowah (Golden State) and Tasmania’s Madina Okot (Atlanta) also in their respective team’s squads.