Poor shooting, high-quality defense and ultra physicality throughout Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals; perhaps that was the Finals we were waiting to see all this time. You can say that both teams exposed each other’s flaws. Maybe! But it was also a game that showed the world that Gabby Williams is truly built different.
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The Valkyries star survived the gruelling physicality of Atlanta’s defense and led her team to the Game 1 victory at home. She didn’t shoot well from the field, but kept her team in close contention before snatching the game away from the Dream in the final seconds. Williams’ performance earned a special shoutout from former ESPN host Linda Cohn.
“[She was the] toughest player on the court in Game 1. 26 points, 16 of those in the second quarter,” Cohn said on her YouTube show. “And when it mattered most, she delivered at the free-throw line. She was money on the line.”
Williams’ performances came at crucial moments in the game. First came at a time when the Valkyries really needed an answer to Atlanta’s dominant first quarter. Angel Reese and Co. ended the first quarter with an eight-point lead. In response, Golden State outscored them 28-17 in the second quarter. Williams nearly outscored Atlanta by herself.
The Dream led the game for 79% of the time, but Williams took it upon herself in the last two minutes and willed the Valkyries to a win.
The Dream led the game 64-61 until 2:16 minutes remaining on the game clock. A second later, Rhyne Howard fouled Williams, who made both of her free throws. The script wasn’t any different until the final buzzer. She relentlessly attacked Atlanta’s defense and drew fouls. In the last two minutes, she scored six points, all coming from free throws, with the biggest ones coming at the end.
With four seconds remaining in the game, the Valkyries had a two-point lead (66-64). Howard fouled her, and the Valkyries’ star made both free throws, taking any hope of the Dream of winning the game 68-64. Allisha Gray attempted a 23-foot-long 3-pointer; she missed it, and the Valkyries took a 1-0 lead in the seven-game championship series.
But the Valkyries’ win wasn’t just because of Williams’ heroics, and perhaps that should scare the Dream. Golden State played like a team at “Ballhalla,” and stayed true to their identity.
Linda Cohn praises the Valkyries after the hosts overcome highly physical contest against Atlanta
The Atlanta Dream entered Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday as an undefeated team that possessed the No.1 offensive and defensive team in the playoffs. They had taken the Valkyries’ best defensive team crown in the regular season. But Golden State was still the favorite to win Game 1, and they proved exactly why.
Throughout this season, the Valkyries have prioritized team identity rather than overreliance on one star. Against a team as deep as the Dream, Golden State chose to rely on each other. They matched Atlanta’s energy in an ugly defensive battle and took great care of possessions. Throughout Game 1, the Valkyries did nothing more and nothing less than what they have done all year in tough situations. They stayed together, relied on their identity, and it paid off.
“Give Golden State credit. They defended. This is what they’ve done all year. This is why they’re one of the best teams in the league. They made Atlanta uncomfortable,” Cohn said. “It forced the Dream to work for everything. They’re not used to that. They weren’t used to that with the two opponents they played before the Valkyries.”
Being tested at an early stage of the playoffs makes teams more resilient and better going forward. The Valkyries were tested by the Dallas Wings in the first round. They had to play a series-deciding Game 3 against Paige Bueckers and Co. They won the semifinal series with an overtime win over the defending champions Las Vegas Aces in Game 3.
On the other hand, the Dream were not tested to such an extent. They swept the Washington Mystics in the first round and played one overtime game against the New York Liberty before sweeping them in the semifinals.
The Dream have been tested now. Perhaps they won’t shoot 33% from the field and 16% from the 3-point line again. But that’s the thing. Can we say that the Valkyries will also shoot 32% from the field and 21% from deep? This is set to be a long, physical series, and the strongest heart will win it all.