Valkyries Edge Dream 68-64 in WNBA Finals Opener With Williams' Heroics
WHO:
Fox News - Tiffany Hayes grabbed a rebound and found Gabby Williams for a running layup that cut the deficit to one with 3:22 left.
Fox News - Rhyne Howard scored 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting in the first quarter.
Fox News - Veronica Burton finished with five blocks in the game.
Fox News - Rhyne Howard scored 11 points for the Atlanta Dream.
Fox News - Gabby Williams scored 26 points for the Golden State Valkyries.
Fox News - Angel Reese and Naz Hillmon are players for the Atlanta Dream.
RealGM Basketball - Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase commented on the team's performance.
WHAT:
Fox News - The Atlanta Dream scored just eight points in the final quarter and did not make a field goal after 4:23 remaining.
Fox News - The Valkyries shot 11-for-16 from the free-throw line, while the Dream finished 18-for-21.
Fox News - The Valkyries shot 32.1% from the field and were 7-of-33 from 3-point range.
RealGM Basketball - No other Valkyries player reached double figures in scoring.
Fox News - The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68–64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.
Fox News - Gabby Williams made six free throws in the final 2:15 of the game.
RealGM Basketball - Williams scored 16 of her 26 points in the second quarter.
Fox News - The Valkyries closed the game on a 7–0 run after trailing by seven points in the fourth quarter.
Fox News - Atlanta scored only eight points in the final quarter and did not make a field goal after 4:23 remaining.
WHERE:
Fox News - The game took place at Chase Center in San Francisco.
WHEN:
Fox News - Game 1 of the WNBA Finals occurred on a Saturday.
WHY:
Fox News - Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase stated, "We were sleeping the whole first quarter," regarding her team's performance.
Fox News - Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase expressed dissatisfaction with the team's defense, stating, "Our defense is terrible right now!"
Fox News - The Valkyries' defense was crucial in preventing the Dream from scoring in the final minutes of the game.
HOW:
Fox News - Golden State's defense included a block by Veronica Burton and a rejection by Kiah Stokes on the same possession, turning a potential five-point deficit into a one-point game.
Fox News - Gabby Williams faced constant pressure from Atlanta's defense throughout the game.
Fox News - Golden State's defense included a block by Veronica Burton and a rejection by Kiah Stokes on the same possession.
Fox News - Williams converted two free throws with 1:18 left to give the Valkyries the lead.
Fox News - The Dream attempted 21 free throws compared to the Valkyries' 16, finishing 18-for-21 at the line.
In a thrilling matchup, Rhyne Howard led the Valkyries with 11 points on an impressive five-for-six shooting in the first quarter, while Tiffany Hayes helped the Atlanta Dream narrow the gap with a crucial layup that cut the deficit to just one point with three minutes and twenty-two seconds remaining. However, the Dream struggled in the final quarter, scoring only eight points and failing to make a field goal after four minutes and twenty-three seconds left on the clock. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged her team's slow start, stating, "We were sleeping the whole first quarter," as they ultimately secured the win despite a strong defensive effort from Golden State, which included a block by Veronica Burton and a rejection by Kiah Stokes.