Former Storm star shines in Game 1 of WNBA Finals

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gabby Williams so believes in Golden State’s poise in crunch time because of the way the Valkyries have won all along with their defense.

They believe in each other to make the play in the biggest of moments.

Williams converted two free throws with 1:18 left to put Golden State ahead, two more with 4.1 seconds to go on the way to scoring 26 points while 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.

“Even though we were down with a few minutes left I think we had the game right where we wanted it because it just came down to getting stops,” said Williams, who spent four seasons with the Seattle Storm before signing with Golden State this past offseason.

“That’s been our bread and butter all season. That’s why we harp on it so much because we’ve built great defensive habits for these moments.”

Gabby Williams took care of business 💼

In the @valkyries’ first Finals appearance, she dropped 26 PTS, 4 REB, 3 3PM & 2 AST to lead them to victory! Williams also ties for the 4th most points by a player in their Finals debut in WNBA History.

#WNBASeason30 | #2026WNBAFinals https://t.co/SYOMc7R1h6

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 17, 2026

It was the first loss all postseason for Atlanta, snapping a 10-game winning streak overall. And coach Karl Smesko was ready to get right back to work watching film to figure out what to do better in Game 2. The Dream are still yet to win a finals game, swept in each of their previous three trips.

“We were right there, right there, so that’s why it hurts a little bit but it also motivates us,” he said. “We know what we’re capable of doing so we’ll have one day to get ourselves as ready as possible and then I think we’ll play even better.”

Finding a way to slow down Williams — and all of her capable supporting cast — is going to be a challenge.

After a quiet first quarter, she scored 16 of her points in the second and no other Valkyries finished in 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 also missed from deep. Kiah Stokes gave the Dream another chance she missed the first of two free throws with 23.8 seconds left. Then Allisha Gray couldn’t knock down a 3 with 9 seconds left.

Williams, an All-Star with Seattle in 2025 and with Golden State this season, converted two free throws with just over 4 seconds left to seal it.

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, while Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jordin Canada contributed eight points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Dream, hitting a timely 13-foot jumper with 4:23 remaining.

Williams made a driving layup with 3:22 to play that 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.

“I’m OK, it was a long, physical game,” she said afterward.

Seattle Sports staff made additions to this post.

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