Valkyries secure 68-64 Game 1 win in defensive WNBA Finals opener against Dream
SAN FRANCISCO -- Gabby Williams converted two free throws with 1:18 left to put Golden State ahead, two more with 4.1 seconds to go and finished with 26 points facing constant pressure from Atlanta's stingy defense, and the Valkyries held off the Dream 68-64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday.
Williams scored 16 of her points in the second quarter and no other Valkyries reached double figures as they shot 32.1% and 7 of 33 from 3-point range.
"We always knew we were going to find a way somehow," Williams said on the microphone postgame as fans chanted "Gabby! Gabby!"
Rhyne Howard missed a 3-point try with 1:09 left but Angel Reese made a steal moments later. Naz Hillmon missed from deep. Kiah Stokes missed the first of two free throws with 23.8 seconds left. Then Allisha Gray missed a 3 with 9 seconds left.
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Williams then hit the free throws a few seconds later to seal the victory.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night back at Chase Center, where the ear-piercing noise from a raucous "Ballhalla" crowd made for the exact hostile environment Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase requested from the home fans.
One of these two franchises will capture its first championship, and if the first game is any indication it's going to be an all-out defensive fight.
Gray returned from injury to score 19 points, Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
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Jordin Canada contributed eight points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Dream, hitting a timely 13-foot jumper with 4:23 remaining.
Williams' driving layup with 3:22 to play pulled Golden State within 62-61. Canada banged awkwardly into Williams' knee on a box out during her late free throws and the Valkyries star was being cared for by an athletic trainer on the bench in the waning moments.
Gray was in the starting lineup and had gone through a light practice Friday after missing the last two games of Atlanta's sweep of the New York Liberty in the best-of-three semifinal series with an injured left ring finger — on her shooting hand.
Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes hit her face hard on the floor trying to make a steal in the closing minutes and was down with 2:38 remaining before walking off the court on her own to the locker room.
Ballhalla erupts at Valkyries' Game 1 win
There was pure joy inside Ballhalla Saturday night as the Golden State Valkyries held off the Atlanta Dream for a thrilling 68-64 victory in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
The sellout crowd erupted at the final buzzer, celebrating the franchise's first Finals win and continuing the electric atmosphere that has defined Valkyries basketball since the team's debut.
After trailing in the first half, Golden State surged after the break behind a dominant performance from Gabby Williams, who scored a game-high 26 points to help lift the Valkyries to victory.
"Can you believe it?" one fan asked moments after the game.
"Yes, Valkyries in four, four, let's go," said fan Nicole Super, confidently predicting a championship sweep.
The tension inside Chase Center was palpable during the final minutes as the Dream tried to rally. Fans held their breath until the closing seconds, when the Valkyries sealed the win.
"My blood pressure is a little high," laughed fan Yoslisma Alvarez. "It's back in order. Exciting game. Ballhalla came through. Only a few seconds left in the game, we pulled it through."
Another fan, Kevin Yarborough, believes the team's mission is clear.
"I promise you this, these girls came for one reason, and one reason only, to win four," he said.
The celebration started long before tipoff. Thrive City was packed with fans dressed in Valkyries gear, while some embraced the team's Norse-inspired identity with warrior costumes and face paint.
"We had to bring the energy and just watch our Valkyries win a championship, because it's all happening," said fan Michelle Tokarski before the game.
The Valkyries have enjoyed overwhelming fan support throughout their first two seasons, routinely selling out home games and turning every matchup into a major event.
As the final seconds ticked away, the roar inside Ballhalla reached another level.
"Twenty seconds left in the game, Ballhalla is on fire," Reporter Cornell Barnard said from courtside. "Valks fans going crazy."
Now, with a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals, Golden State is three wins away from a championship. Game 2 is set to bring even more energy as Ballhalla looks to help push the Valkyries one step closer to a title.
