The Golden State Valkyries secured a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, fueled by a late-game defensive surge. Gabby Williams scored a game-high 26 points, including six of the team's final seven points, to close out the comeback. The Valkyries, the league's top defensive team, trailed for most of the game but used a 7-0 run in the final minutes to take the lead.
Williams described her late-game mindset as counting possessions and points to manage pressure. Kiah Stokes contributed nine points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. The Dream, led by Allisha Gray's 19 points, struggled offensively, shooting below 33% from the field.
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko noted missed opportunities and excessive one-on-one play in the second half. Golden State capitalized on 12 Atlanta turnovers, scoring 17 points off them. The win gives the Valkyries a 1-0 series lead as they aim to build on their defensive identity.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing