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.
Defensive identity shines through
"Even though we were down with a few minutes left, I think we had the game right where we wanted it because it just came down to getting stops," Williams said. "That's been our bread and butter all season. That's why we harp on it so much because we've built great defensive habits for these moments."
It was the first loss of the postseason for Atlanta, snapping a 10-game winning streak overall. Coach Karl Smesko was ready to get right back to work watching film to figure out what to do better in Game 2. The Dream have yet to win a finals game, having been swept in each of their previous three appearances.
"We were right there, right there, so that's why it hurts a little bit but it also motivates us," he said. "We know what we're capable of doing so we'll have one day to get ourselves as ready as possible and then I think we'll play even better."
Late-game drama and injury concerns
Rhyne Howard missed a three-point attempt with 1:09 left, but Angel Reese made a steal moments later. Naz Hillmon also missed from deep. Kiah Stokes gave the Dream another chance when she missed the first of two free throws with 23.8 seconds left. Then Allisha Gray couldn't knock down a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining.
Gray returned from injury to score 19 points, while Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jordin Canada contributed eight points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Dream, hitting a timely 13-foot jumper with 4:23 remaining.
Williams made a driving layup with 3:22 to play that pulled Golden State within 62-61. Canada banged awkwardly into Williams' knee on a box-out during the latter's late free throws, and the Valkyries star was being attended to by an athletic trainer on the bench in the waning moments.
"I'm OK, it was a long, physical game," she said afterward.
Looking ahead to Game 2
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is Monday night back at Chase Center, where the ear-piercing noise from a raucous "Ballhalla" crowd made for exactly the hostile environment Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase had requested from the home fans.
Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes hit her face hard on the floor while trying to make a steal in the closing minutes and was down with 2:38 remaining before walking off the court on her own to the locker room. Nakase said "so far" her indication was that Hayes would be available for Game 2, "so I'll know when the medical tells me". Hayes was undergoing her normal treatment.
"It was a physical game, we understand, it's playoffs, that's just part of it. Tip's OK, I just gave her a little hug," Nakase said. "I'll tell you what, she's a fighter. I don't think there's someone more, maybe our whole team, but she wants this. And I can I say I'm going to put a little bit more energy tonight in film because I want to win this for Tip."
