SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries opened the first WNBA Finals appearance in franchise history with a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday at Chase Center. Golden State finished the game on a 7-0 run, turning a late deficit into a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven championship series.
Gabby Williams carried the scoring load with a game-high 26 points. She scored 16 in the second quarter, then made six free throws during the closing run, including the pair that put Golden State ahead with 1:18 remaining and two more that sealed the result with 4.1 seconds left.
The Valkyries won despite shooting 32.1 percent from the field and making seven of 33 attempts from three-point range. Their defense controlled the finish, holding Atlanta to eight points and two made field goals in the fourth quarter. Kiah Stokes added four blocks, while reserve Kaila Charles collected a postseason career-high 10 rebounds.
Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 19 points, and Angel Reese finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Golden State won the overall rebounding battle 41-35 and remained unbeaten at Chase Center during the playoffs.
The series stays in San Francisco for Game 2 on Monday at 5 p.m. Pacific. The Valkyries will have an opportunity to protect home court again before the Finals shift to Atlanta.