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Gabby Williams leads Valkyries past Dream for Game 1 victory

The Golden State Valkyries kicked off the 2026 WNBA Finals with a commanding 68-64 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 1, setting the tone for their championship aspirations. Gabby Williams delivered a standout performance, scoring 26 points on efficient free-throw shooting (7-of-8) and leading her team’s offensive push, including a pivotal 17-8 run in the fourth quarter that turned the momentum in Golden State’s favor.

The Valkyries, who overcame the Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces to reach the Finals, now look to build on this win as they host the Dream again in Game 2 on October 19. Supporting Williams, Kaila Charles (7 points, 10 rebounds) and Kiah Stokes (9 points, 7 rebounds) provided key contributions, while the Dream fell just short despite a strong first half lead.

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WNBA Finals between Valkyries and Dream won’t be pretty, but they’ll be far from boring