Gabby Williams lifts Valkyries past Dream in defensive slugfest to open WNBA finals

Gabby Williams made two free throws with 1:18 remaining to put Golden State ahead, then added two more with 4.1 seconds left to seal a 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA finals on Saturday.

Williams finished with 26 points despite constant pressure from Atlanta’s stingy defense, scoring 16 in the second quarter as the Valkyries overcame a miserable shooting performance to take an early lead in the best-of-seven series.

No other Golden State player reached double figures as the Valkyries shot just 32.1% from the field and went seven of 33 from three-point range.

“We always knew we were going to find a way somehow,” Williams said in a postgame interview as fans chanted “Gabby! Gabby!”

Rhyne Howard missed a three-point attempt with 1:09 remaining, but Angel Reese came up with a steal moments later to give Atlanta another chance. Naz Hillmon missed from deep before Golden State’s Kiah Stokes missed the first of two free throws with 23.8 seconds left. Allisha Gray then missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer with nine seconds remaining.

Williams made two free throws moments later to put the game out of reach.

Game 2 is Monday night at Chase Center, where the deafening noise from a raucous “Ballhalla” crowd provided exactly the hostile environment Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase had requested from the home fans.

One of these two franchises will capture their first championship, and if the opener was any indication, the series promises to be an all-out defensive battle.

Gray, returning from injury, led Atlanta with 19 points, while Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jordin Canada contributed eight points, seven assists and five rebounds, including a timely 13-foot jumper with 4:23 remaining.

Williams’ driving layup with 3:22 left pulled Golden State within 62-61. Later, Canada collided awkwardly with Williams’ knee while boxing out during a late free-throw sequence, and the Valkyries star received attention from an athletic trainer on the bench in the closing moments.

Gray returned to Atlanta’s starting lineup after missing the final two games of the Dream’s sweep of the New York Liberty in the semi-finals with an injured left ring finger on her shooting hand. She had participated in a light practice on Friday.

Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes also left the game late after hitting her face hard on the floor while attempting a steal. Hayes remained down with 2:38 remaining before walking to the locker room under her own power.