Sheryl Swoopes urges Janelle Salaün to shoot more as Valkyries face Dream in WNBA Finals

Sheryl Swoopes has urged Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün to shoot more ahead of the WNBA Finals opener against the Atlanta Dream in San Francisco on October 17. Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, Swoopes questioned Salaün’s limited contribution in Golden State’s semifinal series against Las Vegas, according to Pro Football Network. The teams are due to meet at Chase Center for Game 1.

Why Swoopes singled out Salaün

Swoopes, a four-time WNBA champion, said Salaün had not played well against the Aces. ‘She’s gonna have to show up and shoot the basketball,’ Swoopes said, according to Pro Football Network’s account of her podcast appearance. Salaün was the league’s Sixth Player of the Year, making her smaller playoff role a particular point of attention before the championship series.

How the Dream and Valkyries match up

Swoopes also identified a challenge for Golden State’s Kiah Stokes, saying she would have her hands full keeping Atlanta’s Angel Reese off the glass. For the Dream, Swoopes favored veteran DeWanna Bonner, citing her championship experience. Pro Football Network reported both remarks as part of Swoopes’s assessment of the matchup.

Golden State reached the Finals in its second season after sweeping defending champion Las Vegas in the semifinals, The Guardian reported. Atlanta, led by coach Karl Smesko, is back in the Finals for the first time since 2013 after sweeping Washington and New York. The Valkyries won all three regular-season meetings with the Dream, although the teams have not played each other since early July.

The Guardian identified Golden State’s Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and Stokes as important parts of its playoff lineup, while Atlanta brings Reese, Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada. Dream leading scorer Allisha Gray’s availability for the opener remained uncertain because of a hand injury. Tipoff was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Golden State’s home court.