WNBA FINALS: DREAM VS. VALKYRIES

October 26, 2026

Kiah Stokes

Veronica Burton

Golden State Valkyries

Game 5: Postgame

Golden State Valkyries 64, Atlanta Dream 55

Q. Talk about what Kiah has done to make it easier for you? What's it been like seeing her step that up even more in the playoffs like this?

VERONICA BURTON: It's very nice to have Kiah in my back line. Honestly, like sometimes I hurt her by even just getting in the way.

But it's incredible, seriously, what she does on a daily basis, and she asks for nothing in return. She's one of the most humble people, like I've ever met, honestly and we're not here without Kiah, every single day, every single game, from the beginning and her veteran experience as well.

I know everybody wants to talk about defense but it's offense, too. She contributes on both sides of the ball. We're really happy to have her.

Q. How big did the rim look for you tonight?

KIAH STOKES: I was just shooting it to be honest. Tiff cussed me out when I passed up one. So I didn't want to make her mad again.

Q. Looking at the players you've been going up against so far the entire postseason, A'ja Wilson, Jess Shepard the Most Improved Player and DPOY, how much do you love going up against this caliber of opponent?

KIAH STOKES: I think, yeah, I love it. You know, I want to win, and to win, I want to beat the best and these are some of the best players in the league, especially this series.

And I don't know, I just take the challenge. We're not done yet but I know I can always do better. But it's definitely not a single like just me. I think our whole team, they rely on me, they give me energy and they give me confidence. I'm just trying to do what I can to help the team in any way as possible.

Q. To flip the question to Veronica, not just defense, but she's looked for her shot more in the last two games. When she's in that mode, what impact does that have on the rest of the team? And Veronica, playing that many minutes, 38 and 37 the last two games?

KIAH STOKES: I think we are at our best when V is aggressive. I tell her, trust her floater, get to the paint.

I have confidence any time she goes in she's going to make it or get fouled. I try to tell her, we need those, stay aggressive and that gets the rest of our team going.

VERONICA BURTON: I mean, it's all we got right now. Like this is it. I'll play however many minutes, whatever time and we're talking a lot about the time, whatever time we need to be there, we'll be there.

Like this is the WNBA Finals. Leave it all out there, and at the end of the day, I know I can also come out and we trust everyone. Whatever is asked of me, that's what I'm willing to do. By the grace of God, I'm healthy and I just continue to roll with that.

Q. For both of you guys, following up on the time issue, your fans have been such a big part of your success this year, and a lot of them may struggle, 9:30, they may have to call in sick or play hooky, do you have a message for them about how to get on board for a Game 6 and possible championship game on the road at 9:30 in the morning?

VERONICA BURTON: Call in sick, I recommend it.

KIAH STOKES: Don't y'all know how to fake a cough?

VERONICA BURTON: Call in sick. We've got the best fans in the league and I'm sure they will be supporting us whatever time.

Q. When you heard the fans cheering "MVP," I think it happened a few times, definitely after the game, what was going through your head as that was happening?

KIAH STOKES: I was just like, man, y'all crazy. Like I appreciate the support but at the end of the day, I just feel like our whole team, like everyone on our team so important. I just feel like we need everyone.

So, like, I think it's cool, like made me smile and stuff. But like, I don't know, I feel like if you take any person off our team, we are not in this position.

Q. Just given the different roles you've had in your career, to have a moment in the spotlight like that, I know it's all about the team, of course, and you still have the sights set on a championship but what does it mean to have that sort of moment and outburst in the context of your career?

KIAH STOKES: I mean, it feels pretty special. I always know what I brought to a team, like I always understood my value but just to hear like in an arena full of 18,000 fans, it just makes me feel appreciated and loved. There's not another way to say that.

Q. Going off that, they say let your game talk. What do you think it said tonight?

KIAH STOKES: I don't know, just shoot when you're open.

VERONICA BURTON: She's too humble, y'all.

KIAH STOKES: I don't know what you want me to say.

Q. I didn't probe.

KIAH STOKES: I'm just like head-down, blue-collar hoops. I've heard that phrase a few times this week. You know, just stepping up to the challenge. It's the Finals. You know we are all here to win. You want to play your best basketball at this point of the season.

Q. You talked before the game saying you wanted to make a more concerted effort on consistency. How would you evaluate your consistency in this game versus energy?

VERONICA BURTON: I think, again, just trying to be aggressive. I wouldn't say I was that consistent in making my shots efficiency-wise but I would say like my mindset was consistent, and that's a goal of mine.

I think the first, you know, three games, we were really up and down with that, and so that's my goal to just have that consistent mindset and I thought tonight, it was there for the most part.

Q. On your shooting, I saw you make seven or eight or nine in a row in the early warmups from three. Is that something you normally do or just today you felt that shot?

KIAH STOKES: To be honest, whenever I do my shooting warmup, I kind of make more than I miss. I actually make a lot in a row to be honest. But it doesn't necessarily translate to the game because I don't shoot a lot. So I'm really just trying to lean into it.

My teammates gave me a lot of confidence to cuss me out because she sees me shoot in practice. It's just a mindset to shoot when open and tonight it went in. Hopefully I can carry it over to Game 6.

Q. You said head-down, blue-collar hoops. Who have you heard it from and in what context?

KIAH STOKES: My family and friends, they sent me some stuff on social media but I'm trying to stay off it. I just know, I said what I do -- a lot of my game isn't pretty. I do all the dirty work, blocking shots and defense. But I know that's what I can bring to the team. Whatever it takes to win. Like I said, job is not done, we have one more win.

Q. You tied with Diana Taurasi for the most blocks in a guard in a WNBA Finals game, and it was also your postseason career high in blocks per the WNBA. What were you on tonight?

VERONICA BURTON: I saw Kiah set a record, so I was just trying to channel that. No, just trying to be aggressive on defense, too. Look for opportunities to block shots. Some of them I probably got a little lucky with the timing but that's what it is for me, it's timing, and so whenever I can time up the shot, that's what I try and do.

Q. Follow up on your defensive performance with your blocks, you pulled down eight rebounds. Earlier we talked about you just doing anything and everything you can to help your team get the victory. I just kind of want to ask you, your overall performance, not from the offensive end or defensive end but everything that you're able to bring to the team today to get yourself within one win of the WNBA Championship.

VERONICA BURTON: Yeah, I mean, again, it is the team and the confidence that they pour into me. I really feel it. Like it's so hard to perform if you don't feel like the people have your back around you, and it's so easy to perform when you feel like they have your back, and that's what it is here. It is so much love and just so much, like, energy poured into you that you just feel invincible almost. I know we're not and I know I'm not but like at the end of the day, that's the mindset and that's what, like you're able to do incredible things whenever you have people around you that support you. And that's what I felt.

So you just want to keep going. You want to run through a brick wall when you love the people that you're around.

Q. What's the message to get the w?

VERONICA BURTON: Do or die. Every game right now is a must win. Every game is a must-win but staying humble.

KIAH STOKES: Doesn't matter what time it is. At the end of the day, we just need 94 feet, two hoops and each other. Like she said, it's a close-out game.

Atlanta is a great team and we don't want to give them basically any life. As much as we love Ballhalla, we don't want to come back here. So we need to go in with the mentality that we want to win, it's do or die.