The Golden State Valkyries overcame a difficult shooting performance to defeat the Atlanta Dream 68–64 in the opening game of the WNBA Finals. Gabby Williams provided 26 points, 16 of them in the second quarter, and was the only Valkyries player to reach double figures. Golden State converted just 32.1 per cent of its field-goal attempts and made seven of 33 shots from three-point range, leaving Williams's individual contribution central to the narrow victory.
The decisive sequence began when Williams converted two free throws with 1:18 remaining to put Golden State ahead. Rhyne Howard missed a three-point attempt with 1:09 left, although Angel Reese made a steal moments later. Atlanta's subsequent opportunities also failed to produce the points it needed: Naz Hillmon missed from long range, Kiah Stokes missed the first of two free throws with 23.8 seconds remaining, and Allisha Gray missed a three-pointer with nine seconds to go. Williams then converted another pair of free throws with 4.1 seconds left, sealing the result after Atlanta's unsuccessful late attempts.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Monday night, again at Chase Center. The noisy home crowd, known as “Ballhalla”, supplied the intimidating atmosphere that Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase had requested. As supporters chanted her name afterwards, Williams expressed confidence in the team's ability to find a way to win—a belief reflected in a result achieved despite Golden State's shooting struggles.
