Overview
- The series is tied 2-2 after Golden State beat Atlanta 67-62 in Game 4, a Monday loss in which Reese had her worst Finals night with eight points on 2-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and six turnovers.
- Earlier in the series Reese produced three straight double-doubles, including a 30-point, 16-rebound Game 2 and a 21-point, 12-rebound Game 3 that reinforced her status as a leading Finals MVP candidate.
- Atlanta and coach Karl Smesko credit a season-long overhaul of Reese’s shooting mechanics for her expanded perimeter role, a change that doubled her three-point attempts this year and modestly raised her 3-point percentage.
- Golden State’s Game 4 adjustments — lineup tweaks and stronger rim protection led in part by Kiah Stokes and a defense that forced 18 turnovers — undercut Reese’s usual interior scoring and helped even the series.
- Outside the box score Reese has drawn celebrity praise from Kevin Durant and made visible cultural statements, including a pregame 'Protect Black Women' shirt and carrying Jordyn Woods’ bag, and her response in Game 5 will likely decide Atlanta’s path toward the title.