Gabby Williams scores 26 points and makes six crucial late free throws as Golden State rallies to win Game 1 at Chase Center, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Chase Center in San Francisco. Gabby Williams scored 26 points and made six free throws in the closing minutes, helping Golden State overcome a late deficit in a physical, defense-heavy contest.
The Valkyries ended the game on a 7-0 scoring run, holding Atlanta scoreless over the final 3:12. The victory gave Golden State a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and delivered the franchise its first WNBA Finals win in just its second season.
Atlanta had controlled much of the second half and appeared positioned to steal the opening game on the road. However, poor fourth-quarter shooting and Williams’ late scoring allowed Golden State to turn the contest around before a sold-out home crowd.
The result was especially significant because the Dream entered the Finals riding a 10-game winning streak. Atlanta had not lost during the postseason, but its offensive struggles in the closing minutes ended that run.
Gabby Williams Delivers in the Final Minutes
Williams provided the decisive plays after Golden State fell behind 64-61 with just over three minutes remaining. She converted four consecutive free throws to move the Valkyries ahead 65-64 with 1:18 left.
Atlanta still had opportunities to regain the lead, but Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon missed three-point attempts. Allisha Gray also missed a potential go-ahead shot in the final seconds.
Kiah Stokes added a free throw for Golden State before Williams made two more with 4.1 seconds remaining. Those final points secured the victory and completed a comeback built largely on defensive stops.
Williams finished with a game-high 26 points, including 16 during an outstanding second quarter. Her scoring helped Golden State recover from a difficult opening period when the team struggled to find its offensive rhythm.
The second-quarter performance was particularly impressive because Williams had missed all four of her field-goal attempts in the first. She then made six of nine shots in the second quarter, matching one of the highest single-quarter scoring totals in WNBA Finals history.
After the game, Williams credited Golden State’s defensive preparation and its ability to remain composed under pressure. She explained that the team had developed strong defensive habits throughout the season and trusted those habits when the game became difficult.
The Valkyries’ confidence was evident during the closing stretch. Rather than depending on difficult shots, they forced Atlanta into contested attempts and capitalized on opportunities at the free-throw line.
Atlanta’s Early Lead Disappears
The Dream started strongly behind Angel Reese, who scored 11 points on five-of-six shooting in the first quarter. Her inside scoring helped Atlanta establish an eight-point advantage at the end of the period.
Golden State answered in the second quarter, with Williams taking control during a 10-0 run. She scored the final seven points of that stretch, including a three-pointer that put the Valkyries ahead.
Despite that response, Atlanta regained control during the third quarter and entered the fourth leading 56-51. The Dream extended their advantage to seven points early in the final period, putting Golden State under increasing pressure.
Atlanta’s offense then stalled against the Valkyries’ aggressive defense. The Dream scored just eight points in the fourth quarter and managed only two field goals during the period.
The shooting difficulties affected several of Atlanta’s leading players. Howard finished with 12 points while making only three of her 14 field-goal attempts, including two of nine from three-point range.
Gray led the Dream with 19 points in her return from a hand injury. She made all eight of her free throws but struggled from the field, connecting on five of 19 attempts.
Reese finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, recording a double-double despite being held without a field goal in the second half. Golden State’s defensive adjustments reduced her scoring opportunities after her strong first quarter.
Dream coach Karl Smesko acknowledged the disappointment of losing a game his team had been close to winning. He said the narrow defeat would also motivate Atlanta to make adjustments before Game 2.
Defense Defines the Finals Opener
Neither team produced an efficient offensive performance, reflecting the defensive strengths that helped both clubs reach the championship series.
Golden State shot 32.1 percent from the field and made seven of its 33 three-point attempts. Atlanta also struggled, finishing 21 of 64 overall and four of 25 from beyond the arc.
The game featured six players who had earned WNBA All-Defensive Team recognition. Atlanta entered with Reese, Howard and Jordin Canada among its honorees, while Golden State featured Williams, Veronica Burton and Stokes.
Stokes delivered an important performance near the basket, contributing nine points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots. Her rim protection helped limit Atlanta’s interior scoring, particularly during the second half.
Laeticia Amihere also provided valuable defensive minutes against Reese. Her ability to challenge shots and provide additional size gave coach Natalie Nakase another option when Golden State needed stops.
Kaila Charles contributed seven points and 10 rebounds, helping the Valkyries remain competitive on the boards. Her physical play supported a defensive effort that prevented Atlanta from turning its late advantage into a victory.
The contest also demonstrated how difficult scoring can become when both teams rely on aggressive defensive rotations. Several possessions ended in contested shots, turnovers or missed opportunities near the basket.
Injuries Add to Physical Battle
The game featured several hard collisions as players fought for rebounds and loose balls.
Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes hit her face against the court while attempting a steal late in the fourth quarter. She remained down briefly before walking to the locker room.
Nakase said afterward that preliminary indications suggested Hayes could be available for Game 2, although the team would continue evaluating her condition. Hayes spent the first 10 seasons of her WNBA career with Atlanta before eventually joining Golden State.
Williams also received attention from an athletic trainer after an awkward collision involving Canada’s knee during the final minutes. She indicated after the game that she was fine despite the physical nature of the contest.
Gray’s return was another important development for Atlanta. She had missed the final two games of the Dream’s semifinal sweep against the New York Liberty because of an injury to her left ring finger.
Her 19-point performance demonstrated her importance to Atlanta’s offense. However, the Dream will need more consistent scoring from the rest of their lineup to challenge Golden State’s defense throughout the series.
Valkyries Take Early Advantage in Historic Finals
The 2026 championship series features two franchises seeking their first WNBA title. Golden State reached the Finals in just its second season, while Atlanta returned to the championship round for the first time since 2013.
The Valkyries entered the series after eliminating the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Atlanta advanced by sweeping the New York Liberty, setting up a matchup between two teams known for disciplined defense.
The opening victory also reinforced Golden State’s strong home-court atmosphere. Chase Center, known to Valkyries supporters as Ballhalla, provided a loud setting as the home team completed its comeback.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, October 19, at Chase Center, with tipoff at 5 p.m. Pacific. The series will then move to Atlanta for Games 3 and 4, scheduled for October 21 and October 24.
Atlanta must find ways to maintain its offensive production late in games, especially when opponents limit Reese’s scoring near the basket. Golden State will look to improve its shooting while maintaining the defensive intensity that secured Saturday’s victory.
For now, the Valkyries hold the early advantage in the championship series. Williams’ late free throws and Golden State’s seven unanswered points gave the expansion franchise a winning start to its first WNBA Finals appearance.
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