Kiah Stokes Reveals the Mental Side of Finals Basketball

Kiah Stokes spoke with the media at practice ahead of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, and the Valkyries center was clear about what the series will come down to. Stokes said it will be a battle of the boards against an Atlanta team that is great on both the defensive and offensive glass, and that two top defensive teams means a fight every night. The Valkyries are focused on crashing the glass, being more intentional on offense, and keeping Atlanta off the boards as much as possible.

Stokes also spoke on being recognized for her defense, calling it more of a team award. She said the emphasis on defense has been there since the organization was formed last year, and that the whole team bought in to making defense its identity.

Stokes shared her admiration for Tiffany Hayes, who was her senior when Stokes was a freshman at UConn. She remembers watching the draft and cheering for Hayes, and said she is still as fast as ever, a bucket off the bench, and a testament to how much environment matters. Stokes added that Hayes can play another ten years if she wants to.

On the Valkyries’ culture, Stokes explained that many players come from teams where they felt undervalued, but on this team everyone starts with a clean slate and an equal opportunity, which lets selfless players buy into their roles. After a long layoff, she credited the coaching staff for balancing intense practices with rest, knowing when to push and when to make it more mental after two tough series.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Press Conference | Kiah Stokes | Atlanta Dream | 2026

00:00 — Balancing Rest and Intensity With the Coaching Staff
00:14 — Reaction to Being Recognized for Defense
00:51 — Defense as the Team’s Identity
01:23 — Tiffany Hayes: From UConn Teammate to Valkyries Bench Spark
02:28 — Why Everyone Gets a Clean Slate
03:11 — Battle of the Boards Against Atlanta
03:38 — Keeping Atlanta’s Top Rebounder Off the Glass
04:10 — Staying Sharp After a Long Layoff