The Golden State Valkyries took a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals after defeating the Atlanta Dream on Saturday. the two teams will meet again this Monday for Game 2 at the Chase Center.
Gabby Williams' 26-point carry job
The Golden State Valkyries relied almost exclusively on Gabby Williams to provide offensive firepower in Game 1, as Williams was the only player on the roster to score in double figures. According to the report, Williams finished the game with 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting, continuing a dominant playoff run where she is averaging 23.1 points per game.
This surge in production is tied to a significant shift in role for Williams. While she averaged 12.8 shots per game during the regular season, her usage has spiked to 18.4 shots per game during the postseason. This aggressive approach has seen her score at least 16 points in every single playoff game played thus far.
The 0-4 curse for Atlanta at Chase Center
The Atlanta Dream enter Game 2 facing a psychological and statistical hurdle at the Chase Center , where they have failed to win a single game this season. The Golden State Valkyries have turned their home court into a fortress , posting a 17-5 record in the regular season and remaining undefeated at 5-0 during the playoffs.
This trend is particularly surprising given the Atlanta Dream's overall road performance. As the source reported, the Dream posted the best net rating on the road during the regular season, yet they have been unable to translate that efficiency into a victory in San Francisco, leaving them 0-4 at the Chase Center for the year.
A 32 percent shooting night that still won
Despite the victory, the Golden State Valkyries struggled offensively,shooting just 32 percent from the field—the lowest percentage for the team during this postseason. The Valkyries also struggled from deep, shooting under 22 percent from the 3-point line, despite being the WNBA's top 3-point shooting team this season.
The game was ultimately decided by defensive grit and interior presence. The Golden State Valkyries used their length at the rim to turn back 10 shots, stifling an Atlanta Dream offense that shot 2-of-20 from the field in the fourth quarter . This defensive dominance allowed Golden State to secure the win even while their own offense sputtered.
The status of Tiffany Hayes and Kayla Thornton
Several personnel questions remain heading into Monday's matchup. Tiffany Hayes, who missed 11 field goals off the bench for the Atlanta Dream, sustained a head injury in the final minutes of regulation, leaving her availability for Game 2 in question. Additionally, the Golden State Valkyries' coaching staff made a bold move by benching Kayla Thornton, who logged only seven minutes of play.
It remains unclear if the Atlanta Dream will adjust their rotation to better support Allisha Gray, who led the team with 19 points on 19 attempts, or Angel Reese, who contributed a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double. Whether the Valkyries will reintegrate Thornton or continue to rely on the current lineup will be a key storyline as the series progresses.
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