The Golden State Valkyries survived a sloppy, defense-dominated Game 1 on Saturday night, closing the game on a 17-8 fourth-quarter run to beat the Atlanta Dream 68-64 and take a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals.

Atlanta started fast, taking a 22-14 first-quarter lead. Angel Reese was central to that burst, but her scoring came only in the opening period; she went scoreless over the final three quarters. Golden State countered with a 28-point second quarter to lead 42-39 at halftime.

The Dream regained control in the third, outscoring the Valkyries 17-9 to go up 56-51, but could not hold on. Atlanta managed just eight points in the fourth as turnovers and cold shooting piled up. The Dream shot 32.8 percent overall and 4-of-25 from three, while Golden State was hardly better at 32.1 percent.

Gabby Williams carried the Valkyries with 26 points, including seven made free throws, while Kiah Stokes added nine points and four blocks and Kaila Charles grabbed 10 rebounds. Golden State blocked 10 shots as a team and scored 17 points off turnovers.

Allllll 16 of Gabby’s second quarter points for your halftime entertainment. https://t.co/HvKqyDwsvq

— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) October 17, 2026

For Atlanta, Allisha Gray led the way with 19 points, and Rhyne Howard added 12 despite shooting 3-of-14. Reese still impacted the game on the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds, but Atlanta’s offense dried up without her scoring after the first quarter.

Foul trouble also hurt Atlanta, with Reese and Howard each finishing with five fouls. The Dream did go 18-of-21 at the free-throw line, but it was not enough to offset Golden State’s late push and 12 offensive rebounds.

Full game highlights;

Game 2 returns to Golden State on Monday night, U.S. time. Atlanta will need more balanced scoring and cleaner shooting to avoid falling into a 2-0 hole, while the Valkyries will look to carry their late-game defensive intensity into the next game.