Valkyries look to clinch first WNBA title as they take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 against Dream

ATLANTA (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries are hoping to clinch their first WNBA championship as they take a 3-2 series lead over the Atlanta Dream into Thursday s Game 6 of the Finals. Coach Natalie Nakase says her players are ready despite the 12:30 p.m. EDT tipoff, which is a 9:30 a.m. start by their normal California time. “We prepared for this,” Nakase said before Thursday s game. “We knew when they announced it. We re good. The Valkyries strong finish in the series came after Nakase tweaked her lineup for a 67-62 Game 4 win. Nakase added Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles into the lineup and had Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Landalasini come off the bench. The new starting five produced a 64-55 win in Game 5. Hayes played 10 seasons for Atlanta and came out of retirement two years ago. Nakase said before Thursday s game, “we just needed something different, really,” and added “I m just going with my gut.” Nakase praised her players for accepting the changes with “zero tension no ego