The Golden State Valkyries are one win away from a first WNBA championship. They take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 of the Finals against the Atlanta Dream on Thursday 29 October, with tip-off at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

A lunchtime final with a venue twist

Golden State won Game 5 by 64-55 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Centre Kiah Stokes and guard Veronica Burton each scored 13 points in a low-scoring game, and the Valkyries held Atlanta to a season-low 55 points on 29.2 per cent shooting from the field. Atlanta forward Angel Reese, who scored 30 and 21 in the Dream's two wins in the series, was held to seven points on two-of-eight shooting in Game 5, although she still collected 15 rebounds.

What each side needs

The early start is not a mistake. The game was moved to the afternoon so State Farm Arena could also host the Atlanta Hawks later in the day. The game is broadcast on USA Network, with simulcasts on E! and SYFY, and streamed on Peacock. Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said after Game 5 that her side had done its job at home but now had to level up again, warning that Atlanta would be ruthless in front of its own crowd.

For Golden State, the formula from Game 5 is clear: keep Reese out of the paint, force Atlanta's guards to beat them from outside, and let Stokes anchor a defence that has recorded three or more blocks from her in five straight Finals games. For Atlanta, Reese must rediscover her early-series form, with a second scorer alongside Howard; a Dream win forces Game 7 in San Francisco on Saturday.

Sources: USA TODAY, New York Post.