Gabby Williams scores 26 points, sends Valkyries to 68-64 Game 1 win in defensive WNBA Finals opener

Gabby Williams scored 26 points to lead the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals in San Francisco. Despite shooting only 32% under constant pressure from Atlanta's defense, the Valkyries secured the win through crucial late-game free throws by Williams, who converted two shots with 1:18 remaining to take the lead and sealed the game with two more with 4.1 seconds left.

The defensive slugfest saw the Valkyries take a 1-0 series lead in the opening game of the finals. The contest also featured the return of Gray, who scored 19 points for Atlanta before the Dream ultimately fell short in the closing moments of the closely contested matchup.