Valkyries beat Dream, take 3-2 WNBA Finals lead

The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 64-55 in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Monday, taking a 3-2 series lead and moving within one win of the championship. Atlanta faces elimination in Game 6, scheduled for Thursday at State Farm Arena. Angel Reese scored seven points on 2-for-8 shooting, with 15 rebounds and five assists. She and Dream coach Karl Smesko criticized the officiating after the loss, saying contact against Atlanta players, particularly Reese, was not being called consistently. Their complaints are their assessment of the game; the reports do not establish independently that officials made errors. Smesko said he credited Golden State’s defense but believed the contact allowed against Reese was excessive. He said Atlanta should have received six to eight additional free-throw opportunities based on contact against her. The Dream attempted 14 free throws in Game 5, compared with 13 for the Valkyries. Reese said she was still adjusting to the physical play and felt Atlanta players were being fouled without calls. She also said the officiating had shifted after the Dream took a 2-1 series lead. In the first quarter, Reese was called for an offensive foul...