The Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team in only their second year, just punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals, blowing past all expectations. They took down the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, with a clutch 87-77 win in Game 3 of the semifinals on Friday, October 9, 2026. And make no mistake, this Cinderella run is powered by a quartet of former UConn legends, with Kiah Stokes absolutely balling out on defense in a way that should make every Atlanta Dream player nervous.
Geno Auriemma: “They Wouldn’t Be Where They Are Today”
You want to know how crucial these UConn stars are? Legendary coach Geno Auriemma himself didn’t mince words. He said point blank, “I don’t think I’d be overstating it that if those four were not on that team, they (Valkyries) wouldn’t be where they are today.” That’s high praise, and it shows the foundational impact of Tiffany Hayes, Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes, and Kaitlyn Chen. Hayes was a monster shooting guard back in UConn’s early 2010s dynasty, helping them snag a record 78 consecutive wins and back-to-back undefeated national championships. Stokes was there for the four-peat years, and Williams joined during the tail end of that ridiculous run. Even Chen, who only spent a year with Auriemma, brought that veteran leadership to help the Huskies snatch the 2025 national championship. Auriemma is “proud of all of them” and will be cheering for Golden State in the Finals. You gotta love seeing that kind of pedigree come through in the pros!
Kiah Stokes’ Defensive Masterclass That Sent Them to the Dance
Listen, while A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 21 points, it was Kiah Stokes who was the *only* Valkyries player to drop a double-double in that crucial Game 3. She racked up 11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Her defense on Wilson was relentless, frustrating the five-time WNBA MVP all night long. This isn’t just one game, either. StatMuse confirms Stokes is leading the *entire WNBA* with a jaw-dropping 94.8 defensive rating. The Husky center is playing the best basketball of her life, averaging a career-high 1.3 assists per game, plus 1.7 blocks per game, her best average since her rookie season way back in 2015. Stokes already has three WNBA titles with the Aces, including the 2025 championship. If the Valkyries go all the way and beat the Atlanta Dream, she’ll join legends Sue Bird and Maya Moore as only the third former Husky to win four WNBA titles. That’s legacy stuff right there.
So, get ready! Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Atlanta Dream tips off next Saturday. Can Stokes keep frustrating the league’s best? Can these four UConn vets cap off an insane expansion season with a championship? You absolutely do not want to miss this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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