WNBA Finals Game 1: Valkyries Top Dream 68-64
The wnba finals game 1 delivered a defensive grind at a sold-out Chase Center, and the Golden State Valkyries survived it. Behind a 26-point night from Gabby Williams, the Valkyries edged the Atlanta Dream 68-64 on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series — and moved three wins from the first championship in franchise history.
Williams Carries Golden State
Williams, the runner-up to Atlanta’s Angel Reese in Defensive Player of the Year voting, has emerged as an offensive force this postseason. She went scoreless in the first quarter, then erupted for 16 points in the second — a career high for a quarter and tied for the third-most points in a single Finals quarter with Jonquel Jones.
She finished 8-of-22 from the field with four rebounds, two assists and a steal, carrying the load on a night when no other Golden State player reached double figures. Her four key free throws in the final 78 seconds, including two with 4.1 seconds left, sealed the win.
A Defensive Grind to the Finish
Both teams shot just 32% from the field in a game that featured seven lead changes and six ties. Golden State scored only nine points in the third quarter as a three-point halftime lead turned into a five-point deficit, and still trailed 64-61 with 3:12 to play after Rhyne Howard sank two free throws for Atlanta.
The Dream never scored again, missing their last seven shots. Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 19 points in her return from a hand injury but was scoreless in the fourth quarter. Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds but made no field goals in the second half, and Howard managed 12 points on three made baskets.
There was a late scare for Golden State when Williams was knocked down in a collision with Dream guard Jordin Canada with 2:15 left and finished the game limping while holding her left knee. Asked about it afterward, she brushed it off: “No, I’m OK. It was a long physical game, but I’m OK.”
Game 2 Set for Monday
The loss was Atlanta’s first of the 2026 playoffs. Game 2 is set for Monday night, again at Chase Center, where Golden State will try to defend home court before the series shifts to Atlanta.
Source: USA Today