AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Forget about the World Series. The WNBA finals are underway. The Series is tied 2 to 2 after the Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream at home yesterday. Sydney Johnson of KQED in San Francisco joins us now. Welcome.
SYDNEY JOHNSON, BYLINE: Hey, thanks. Happy to be here.
RASCOE: Since Golden State got the win yesterday, what happened?
JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, this was just such an exciting victory for the Valkyries. The team was coming off a pretty tough loss in game three on Wednesday, but they changed up their starting lineup. They were scrappier this game. They were diving for loose balls and securing turnovers. Their defense was definitely stronger and just showed that they really wanted it here in game three, for sure. Actually, Kiah Stokes broke a record for the most blocks in a WNBA finals series.
And, you know, the Dream had a strong first quarter, and in the last few games, they've really been kicking it up in the third quarter. My NPR colleague, DorMiya Vance, who's been, you know, covering the Dream here, often says that they're a third-quarter team, but they just couldn't pull it off this week in the end of the week, at least, and the Valkyries were able to get that win and tie up the series 2 to 2.
RASCOE: How are fans in San Francisco - and if you have any idea how they're doing in Atlanta - how are they handling all this pressure?
JOHNSON: Yeah. I mean, the fans - it's been so fun to watch on both ends. This is the Dream's first finals appearance in 13 years. So, you know, fans have been hungry for a title. They brought a ton of passion. I'm here in Atlanta this week visiting from San Francisco, and State Farm Arena was just a sea of blue. And, you know, it was really, really exciting and just the energy was so high.
But for the Bay Area, where I'm based, this is huge. You know, the Valkyries are only in their second season and have made it to the finals. A win for this team would be historic. You know, fans will go ballistic. But really,for both teams, it's been fascinating to see you know, these sold-out arenas, just massive excitement and attention around the WNBA right now.
Actually, something, I think, worth pointing out is these games here in Atlanta, three and four, actually were originally scheduled to be played in arena with only 3,500 seats because of scheduling conflicts. And, you know, they were able to switch it up and play at State Farm Arena, which has closer to 17,000 seats, and they sold out.
RASCOE: Well, what accounts for the success of these teams getting to the finals?
JOHNSON: I mean, they have amazing players. The Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase - I think she really knew what she was doing with this roster. You know, Gabby Williams, Tiffany Hayes, Kaitlyn Chen - these are some real smart and strong players who can shoot and also who have so much love for their fandom, you know, in the Valkyries. I think that's really been an element here, too, for the success.
And, you know, in the South with the Dream, like, they are not messing around. These players bring depth and versatility to the court. They really stepped up this year, too, with the addition of Angel Reese, who's just a powerhouse, a superstar, so it's been really fun to see both of these teams.
RASCOE: OK, game five is Monday. How do you think it's going to play out?
JOHNSON: Yeah, I mean, I'm expecting a really good matchup. I think Atlanta's going to come back and really just try and fight to get that lead back in the series. But so are the Valkyries. And, you know, the Valkyries are going to be back on their home turf. And in San Francisco, where the Valkyries play at Chase Center - we call it Valhalla - you know, it is loud. It has been full, and, you know, I'm expecting to see fans showing up decked out in purple, ready to go hard, but also both of these teams really fighting to get that lead in the series.
RASCOE: That's KQED's Sydney Johnson. Thank you so much.
JOHNSON: Yeah, thanks for having me.
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