Gabby Williams Leads Valkyries to Game 1 Win Over Dream in WNBA Finals

The Golden State Valkyries secured a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals on Saturday night, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-64 in a defensive battle at Chase Center. The Valkyries relied on a record-tying scoring burst from Gabby Williams and a stifling fourth-quarter defensive effort to claim the franchise’s first-ever Finals victory.

Gabby Williams led all scorers with 26 points, the centerpiece of which was a 16-point explosion in the second quarter. That performance tied for the third-most points scored in a single quarter in WNBA Finals history, allowing Golden State to stay competitive despite struggling with their overall shooting efficiency. The Valkyries finished the game shooting just 32.1% from the field and 7-of-33 from beyond the three-point arc.

Golden State held Atlanta to just eight points in the final quarter to seal the win.

The Dream appeared to be in control late in the game, but their offense evaporated in the final period. Atlanta was held to just eight points in the fourth quarter and failed to score for the final 3:12 of regulation. This scoring drought neutralized a strong return from Allisha Gray, who led the Dream with 19 points while playing through a hand injury.

Defensive Lockdown and Reese’s Double-Double

Atlanta’s offensive struggles were particularly evident in the second half. Angel Reese recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but she was held scoreless after halftime as the Valkyries’ interior defense tightened. Golden State’s ability to limit second-chance opportunities and force difficult perimeter shots proved decisive as the Dream’s momentum stalled.

While the Valkyries struggled to find their own rhythm offensively, their transition defense prevented Atlanta from capitalizing on Golden State’s missed shots. The physical nature of the contest favored the Valkyries late, as they forced the Dream into a series of late-clock heaves and turnovers during the closing minutes.

Series Outlook and Game 2

The victory puts Golden State in a favorable position in the best-of-seven series, particularly given their home-court advantage in San Francisco.

According to a recap of the Valkyries’ nervy Game 1 win, the Dream must find a way to sustain their offensive production beyond the first three quarters if they hope to even the series. The two teams will remain at Chase Center for Game 2, which is scheduled for Monday night, October 19, at 8 p.m. ET.

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