Gabby Williams delivers late as Valkyries shut down Angel Reese, Dream to win WNBA Finals opener

SAN FRANCISCO – The Atlanta Dream had a three-point lead with just over three minutes left in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday.

They didn't score again.

Gabby Williams finished with 26 points and made six free throws in the final 2:15 as the Golden State Valkyries beat the Dream, 68–64, at Chase Center.

Golden State closed on a 7–0 run to take a 1–0 series lead after trailing by seven earlier in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta scored just eight points in the final frame and didn't make a field goal after Jordin Canada's jumper with 4:23 remaining.

The Dream had opportunities to steal the opener on the road.

They spent the closing minutes missing one after another.

DREAM, VALKYRIES LEAVE COURT FOR NATIONAL ANTHEM, RETURN SECONDS LATER BEFORE WNBA FINALS Golden State's defense produced one of the biggest sequences with the Valkyries trailing 62–59.

Veronica Burton blocked Canada's layup attempt, and Kiah Stokes rejected Angel Reese on the same possession.

Tiffany Hayes grabbed the rebound and found Williams for a running layup that cut the deficit to one with 3:22 left.

Stokes finished with five blocks.

That one helped turn a potential five-point deficit into a one-point game.

Rhyne Howard pushed Atlanta's lead back to three with two free throws, but Williams answered with four straight at the line.

Her second pair put Golden State ahead 65–64 with 1:18 remaining.