68-64: The Valkyries score the first game of the WNBA final

The Golden State Valkyries inaugurated the Finals of the WNBA 2026 striking first. In a Chase Center packed with 18,064 spectators, the Californian team won a very tough and tactical first round (64-68) against some Atlanta Dream who ruled the scoreboard for 79% of regulation time, but ended up collapsing before the local defensive wall in the final ten minutes.

The match was marked by defensive harshness and low shooting percentages (32% on the field for the home team compared to 33% for the visitors). In that scenario of mud and trenches, the figure of Gabby emerged imperially. Williams. The Golden State forward had a decisive performance with 26 points – including 5 providential three-pointers -, 4 rebounds and 3 steals, being the offensive beacon of a squad that survived the worst stretches of the clash thanks to its perseverance.

The match began with a clear visitor color. Led by Jordin’s management Canada and Naz Hillmon (7 assists each) and Angel’s inner combativeness Reese —author of a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds—Atlanta took control of the first quarter (22-14) reaching a maximum advantage of nine points.

However, the Valkyries reacted in the second act to the dizzying pace imposed by Williams and the outside rotations of Tiffany Hayes (8 points, 4 assists). A run of 28-17 turned the score around before the break (39-42), showing that the duel would not be defined by easy concessions.

After passing through the locker room, atlanta He tightened the nuts again. Allisha Gray (her team’s top scorer with 19 points and an immaculate 8 of 8 from the free throw) and Rhyne Howard (12 points) reactivated the Dream attack, which completely dried up the local offense with a poor 17-9 run in the third quarter to face the final stretch with an advantage (56-51).

It was in the last round where the fight was decided. The defense of Golden State put the absolute lock on their basket, led by an imposing Kiah stokes (10 rebounds and 4 blocks of his team’s 10 total). The bay pupils barely conceded 8 points to Atlanta in the entire fourth quarter. Furthermore, controlling turnovers was key: Golden State He only committed 6 losses in the entire crash compared to the 12 of atlantamaking the most of each possession in transition.

With a final run of 17-8 in the last ten minutes and the free throws secured in the final stages, the Golden State Valkyries They made it 1-0 in the best of seven games series. Atlanta Dream She leaves with honey on her lips after almost reaching the home round, but forced to improve her exterior success (a discreet 4 of 25 in triples, 16%) if she wants to equalize the tie in the second round.