Gabby Williams scored 26 points and hit six crucial free throws in the final minutes to lead the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals at the Chase Center, MARCA reported.
Golden State Overcomes Late Deficit in Front of 18,064 Fans
Playing in their first WNBA Finals just two years after the franchise’s inception, the Valkyries secured their first lead of the entire contest in the final 100 seconds. A decisive 7-0 run over the final two minutes and 15 seconds propelled the San Francisco side past the Dream before a crowd of 18,064 spectators in San Francisco.
Williams spearheaded the late-game surge by converting all six of her free-throw attempts down the stretch. The performance marked the fourth-highest scoring output by a debutante in the Finals, anchoring an offensive effort that saw Williams stand as the only Golden State player to finish in double figures.
Atlanta Falters After Holding the Lead
The visiting Dream controlled the tempo for the majority of the matchup before unraveling in the game’s dying moments. Atlanta failed to convert any of their shots during the game-deciding two-minute drought, missing five three-point attempts as the home side erased the deficit.
GABBY. WILLIAMS. 🚨26 PTS4 REB 3 3PM2 ASTHer performance helped the @valkyries take Game 1! pic.twitter.com/7IyVzhYNyV
Alisha Gray paced the Dream with 19 points, while Angel Reese added 14 points and Rhyne Howard contributed 12. Despite holding the advantage for nearly all four quarters, Atlanta’s late offensive stagnation allowed Golden State to steal the opener on their home floor.
Williams and Stokes Carry the Valkyries’ Offense
With her team relying heavily on her production, Williams delivered a scoring line that put her name alongside debutants in the Finals. Beyond her 26 points, the Reno native and French national team player managed the floor under intense pressure.
Kiah Stokes provided the primary secondary support for Golden State, chipping in 9 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to help offset a quiet night for the rest of the Valkyries’ roster.
“It is very nice, but I feel like we haven’t finished the job yet,” Williams said when asked about the crowd chanting her name, according to MARCA. “Even when we were down, I thought we had the game right where I wanted it.”
Chase Center Prepares for Game 2
The series remains in San Francisco for Game 2, scheduled to tip off at the Chase Center on the early morning of Tuesday to Wednesday at 2:00.
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