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WNBA Finals Game 2 discussion: Can the Atlanta Dream prove they have what it takes to beat the Golden State Valkyries?

The Golden State Valkyries captured a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven 2026 WNBA Finals after edging the Atlanta Dream 68-64 in Game 1 on Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco. The outcome leaves the Dream still searching for their first WNBA Finals win.

Atlanta entered the final quarter of Game 1 with a five-point advantage over Golden State. However, the Dream managed just eight points in that final period, allowing the Valkyries to erase the deficit and claim the victory.

Gabby Williams paced the Valkyries with a game-high 26 points, supplying crucial offense in the closing moments of the contest. Williams made two free throws with 1:18 remaining to give Golden State a 65-64 edge, and she subsequently added another pair of free throws with 4.1 seconds left to seal the win.

The matchup features two of the premier defenses in the competition. Across the regular season, the Valkyries posted the league's top defensive rating, and the Dream finished third in that category. Atlanta led the league in steals per game during the regular season, while Golden State ranked fourth in that metric.

Following Game 1, the Atlanta Dream's post-Game 1 outlook included the quote: "We were right there."

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