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The Golden State Valkyries held the Atlanta Dream scoreless over the final three minutes and 12 seconds to win the opening game of the WNBA Finals, 68 to 64, at Chase Center on October 17.
Gabby Williams scored 26 points and delivered the decisive free throws as Golden State recovered from a late deficit. The victory gave the Valkyries a one game lead in the best of seven championship series and handed Atlanta its first defeat of these playoffs.
Both franchises are seeking their first WNBA championship. Golden State has the early advantage after finding a way through a game in which neither team shot well and every possession mattered down the stretch.
Atlanta’s Offense Stalls With the Game Within Reach
The Dream entered the fourth quarter ahead 56 to 51. They had held Golden State to just nine points in the third period, putting themselves in position to take the opener away from home.
Atlanta then managed only eight points in the fourth quarter, making two of 19 shots. Its last field goal came with more than seven minutes remaining, leaving the visitors increasingly dependent on free throws to protect their lead.
Williams put Golden State ahead with two free throws with 78 seconds remaining. Atlanta still had opportunities, including possession while trailing by two with 23.8 seconds left, but could not convert.
Allisha Gray missed a late attempt from beyond the arc before Williams made another pair of free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining. Golden State finished the game with seven unanswered points.
Dream coach Karl Smesko said his team had created some good looks that did not fall. His broader concern was maintaining Atlanta’s preferred style across all four quarters after stretches of effective play had repeatedly given way to offensive difficulty.
Williams Provides the Scoring Golden State Needs
Williams’ finish followed a major recovery earlier in the game. She went scoreless in the opening quarter, missing all four attempts, before scoring 16 points in the second quarter.
That burst helped Golden State turn an eight point deficit after the first period into a 42 to 39 halftime lead. Her offense kept the Valkyries competitive on a night when no teammate reached double figures.
The hosts shot just 32.1% from the field and made seven of 33 attempts from three point range. They could not rely on sustained outside shooting to separate themselves from Atlanta.
Instead, Williams supplied enough scoring at crucial moments while the team’s defense kept the margin manageable. Coach Natalie Nakase praised her willingness to take responsibility when Golden State needed baskets.
Rebounding and Bench Contributions Tip the Balance
Kiah Stokes finished with nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks, matching her career playoff high for rejections. Reserve Kaila Charles added seven points and 10 rebounds.
Golden State won the rebounding battle 41 to 35, including a 12 to seven advantage on the offensive boards. On a difficult shooting night, recovering missed attempts gave the Valkyries additional chances to score.
The bench also contributed 20 points to Atlanta’s six. Golden State used 10 players, while the Dream relied on seven. Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada each played 38 of the available 40 minutes for Atlanta.
That contrast does not establish why the Dream struggled late, but it gives the coaching staffs another issue to examine. Golden State found useful contributions across a wider rotation, even with Williams carrying most of its scoring.
Dream Seeks a Response Before the Series Moves East
Gray led Atlanta with 19 points on her return from a hand injury. Angel Reese recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Howard added 12 points.
Reese scored 11 points in the first quarter but did not make another field goal over the remaining three periods. Finding ways to sustain that early interior production will be one possible route to improving Atlanta’s offense.
Game 2 takes place at Chase Center on Monday, October 19, at 8 p.m. Eastern. Atlanta has another opportunity to earn a road victory before the series shifts to Georgia, while Golden State will try to preserve its unbeaten home record in these playoffs.
