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Gabby Williams delivered 26 points and scored four crucial free throws in the final minute and 18 seconds to lift the San Francisco Valkyries to a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
San Francisco Takes Game One Behind Williams
Playing on their home floor in front of a capacity crowd at San Francisco’s “Ballhalla” arena, the Valkyries secured a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals series. The match featured seven lead changes before Williams settled the contest down the stretch. With the victory, San Francisco halted a ten-game winning streak for Atlanta. The franchise is contesting its second season in the league and making its first appearance in the WNBA Finals.
Gabby Williams’ six late fourth-quarter free throws helped lift the Golden State Valkyries over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. See photos from the game here. https://t.co/ckThZzG1We
“I do math: I count possessions, points. I ask myself ‘what do we need right now, how much time is left?’ I think it’s the best way to release the pressure and just think possession after possession,” Williams said after the game.
The 30-year-old French forward, who serves as captain of the French national team, scored 16 of her 26 points in the second quarter alone, including a flurry of three-pointers that kept San Francisco afloat during Atlanta’s defensive push. She also finished the night with four rebounds, three three-pointers, and two assists, tying for the fourth-most points scored by any player in a WNBA Finals debut.
Atlanta’s Late Push Falls Short
The Atlanta Dream deployed close defensive coverage on Williams throughout the evening, slowing San Francisco’s offense in the second half. Angel Reese, recently crowned a world champion in Berlin, chipped in 14 points for Atlanta.
The visitors nearly stole the opener in the closing seconds. Trailing by a narrow margin, Rhyne Howard had an opportunity to win the game with a three-point attempt in the dying moments, but her shot bounced off the rim, preserving the win for the hosts.
“Gabby, she finishes games, she’s clearly one of the best players in the world right now. When we need baskets, she goes and gets them and scores them, that’s exactly what we need,” said Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase.
NBA Star Presence and Series Context
Four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors watched Saturday’s opening game from the tribunes in San Francisco.
The series format requires the first team to reach four victories to claim the championship. Following Saturday’s opener, San Francisco will host Game 2 in the same arena.
Game 2 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled for the night of Monday to Tuesday in San Francisco.
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