SAN FRANCISCO – The Atlanta Dream held a three-point lead with just over three minutes remaining in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday but were unable to score again. Gabby Williams scored 26 points and hit six free throws in the final 2:15, leading the Golden State Valkyries to a 68–64 win at Chase Center. The Valkyries closed the game with a 7–0 run after having trailed by seven earlier in the fourth quarter.

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The Dream managed only eight points in the final quarter, failing to make a field goal after Jordin Canada's jumper with 4:23 left. They had opportunities to secure a victory, but missed crucial attempts down the stretch.

One significant moment for Golden State came with the Valkyries down 62–59. Veronica Burton blocked Canada's layup attempt, and Kiah Stokes then rejected Angel Reese on the same possession. Tiffany Hayes grabbed the rebound and found Williams for a layup that reduced the deficit to one point with 3:22 remaining.

Stokes had five blocks in total, helping turn a potential five-point deficit into a one-point game. Rhyne Howard extended the Dream's lead to three with two free throws, but Williams quickly responded, making four straight free throws to give Golden State a 65–64 lead with 1:18 left.

Reese made two steals from Williams in the final 1:41, giving the Dream chances to regain the lead, but Allisha Gray missed a layup and Naz Hillmon missed a three-pointer. Stokes made one of two free throws with 23.8 seconds remaining, bringing the score to 66–64. Gray then missed a potential go-ahead three, and Williams sealed the game with two free throws with 4.1 seconds to go.

Chase Center fans voiced their frustration with the officiating, loudly chanting after several missed calls. Atlanta had 21 free throw attempts compared to Golden State's 16, finishing 18-for-21 from the line while the Valkyries were 11-for-16.

One particularly noted play occurred with 3:12 left when Howard drove to the basket, resulting in a foul on Burton, who was hit in the face and remained down. After review for a potential hostile act, no foul was called against Howard. Howard made both free throws to push Atlanta to 64–61, which turned out to be their final points of the game.

Reese started strong, scoring 11 points in the first quarter, helping the Dream lead 22–14 with an 11–0 run. However, she would not make another field goal, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Williams took over in the second quarter, scoring all 16 of her first-half points and propelling Golden State to a 42–39 halftime lead.

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase expressed dissatisfaction at halftime, critiquing her team’s initial performance, while Golden State's offense struggled in the third quarter, scoring just nine points and allowing Atlanta to lead 56–51 going into the fourth. Overall, the teams combined for only 51 points after halftime, demonstrating their defensive capabilities.