The Atlanta Dream lost in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals, allowing the Golden State Valkyries to tie the series at 2-2.
Angel Reese struggled offensively in the game, recording just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting. She did have nine rebounds and three blocks, albeit with six turnovers. Rhyne Howard led the Dream in scoring with 19 points, while Jordin Canada and Isobel Borlase had 10 points each.
Four players scored in double figures for the Valkyries, led by Gabby Williams with 17 points. Meanwhile, Kiah Stokes had only four points, but she dominated the boards with 16 rebounds.
Making the 67-62 loss even more frustrating for the Dream was the technical foul assessed to veteran forward Naz Hillmon early in the second quarter.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Kaila Charles was guarding Hillmon near the basket with about seven minutes remaining in the quarter. The two got highly physical during the play, but Charles was eventually called for a foul.
However, Hillmon kept saying some words toward Charles after the foul call, prompting the referee to hit the Dream star with a technical foul.
According to the league’s rules, a player’s first two technical fouls in the playoffs each carry a $500 fine. It was Hillmon’s first technical foul of the postseason.
Considering that it’s the WNBA Finals and neither team can afford to lose key players, Hillmon will certainly need to be careful. Accumulating four technical fouls in the playoffs results in a one-game suspension, in addition to a $1,500 fine.
For what it’s worth, Reese already has two technical fouls with the Dream in this year’s playoffs.
