Valkyries feel a 'major sense of urgency' before Game 4 of the WNBA Finals after Dream take a 2-1 lead

The Golden State Valkyries do not want to panic. They also know what is at stake after the Atlanta Dream ran them off the floor in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals.

"We continue to point out the things where we lack discipline and where we lack maybe paying attention to their personnel," guard Veronica Burton said Thursday. "We address that and not overreact but also understand that there is a major sense of urgency and we can't necessarily wait for anything to change."

Game 4 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday in Atlanta.

Turnovers are the problem

Golden State stole Game 1 at home with a late run after trailing for nearly 30 minutes. Atlanta answered by winning Game 2 on the Valkyries' floor, leading by as many as 21, then routed them 97-71 on Wednesday night.

The Valkyries have turned the ball over 36 times in the two losses. The Dream have scored 46 points off those mistakes. During the regular season Golden State averaged a league-low 11.5 turnovers a game. It averaged 10.3 in the playoffs before this series.

Atlanta broke open Game 3 with a 23-9 run after the score was tied at 48 early in the third quarter. Golden State is 0-8 this season, playoffs included, when it gives up 90 or more points.

"An element of it obviously is a little bit surprising in the sense of that is kind of what we hang our hats on, is our discipline, is our composure," Burton said.

Back against the wall

Coach Natalie Nakase pointed out that her team has come back from 16- and 17-point deficits to win games during these playoffs. She called the series deficit another chance to respond with a more aggressive game plan.

"Our players, our staff, we love to come together in these moments," Nakase said. "We get even more connected, get more clarity out of it. Didn't go our way last game, but now we're just focused on the next game."

Golden State has not lost three games in a row at any point this season.

"It is a long series, so I think we're still very positive," said center Kiah Stokes, a three-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces. "We know what we can fix. A lot of it is dealing with ourselves, so we just got to look in the mirror first and then move forward. I think positivity and energy is still high and we got another chance to steal one on Saturday."