Valkyries Rally From Behind to Win WNBA Finals Game 1

The Golden State Valkyries showed championship heart when it mattered most, rallying from behind to win their first WNBA Finals game at home.

Down by three points with just over three minutes left in Game 1 on Saturday, the Valkyries locked down on defense and didn't let the Atlanta Dream score another point. Golden State closed the game on a 7-0 run to take the opener 68-64 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Gabby Williams delivered when her team needed her most. The forward finished with 26 points and made six crucial free throws in the final minutes to push the Valkyries ahead.

Defense turned the game in the closing moments. Veronica Burton blocked a layup attempt, and Kiah Stokes rejected Angel Reese on the same possession with Golden State trailing 62-59.

Tiffany Hayes grabbed the rebound and found Williams for a running layup that cut the lead to one. Stokes finished with five blocks, protecting the rim when it counted most.

Williams put the Valkyries ahead 65-64 with 1:18 remaining by making four straight free throws. She added two more with seconds left to seal the victory.

The Bright Side

Both teams showcased the incredible defensive talent that helped them reach the Finals. Six of the 10 players named to the WNBA's All-Defensive teams were on the court Saturday night.

The Dream held their own against the top-seeded Valkyries despite playing on the road. Angel Reese recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 19 points.

Williams started hot in the second quarter with 16 points to give Golden State a 42-39 halftime lead. The back-and-forth battle showed why these teams earned their place in the championship series.

Golden State now leads the series 1-0 heading into Game 2. Both teams proved they have what it takes to compete at the highest level, setting up what promises to be an exciting Finals series.

The Valkyries showed that defense wins championships, especially when the game is on the line.