How Golden State held court to take 1-0 lead over Atlanta — SkimNews
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- Gabby Williams scored 26 points — the only Valkyries player in double figures — and sealed the win with four free throws in the final 1:18 of Game 1.
- The Golden State Valkyries won 68-64 over the fourth-seeded Atlanta Dream, never trailing after the third quarter despite seven lead changes, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Finals.
- The Dream went 2-for-20 in the fourth quarter and 4-of-25 from three-point range overall, with Allisha Gray going 1-of-8 from deep, snapping their 10-game winning streak.
- Angel Reese posted 14 points and 12 rebounds but was held scoreless in the second half, while Rhyne Howard shot 3-for-14 from the field for 12 points.
- The Valkyries won the rebounding battle 41-35, with Kaila Charles contributing 10 rebounds and 7 points in 30 minutes off the bench to anchor Golden State's depth.
- Golden State improved to 5-0 at home this postseason and will host Games 2 and (if necessary) 5 and 7 in the 2-2-1-1-1 format, with Game 2 set for Monday at Chase Center.
Why it matters: The Dream now face a must-win Game 2 on the road Monday or head to Atlanta down 0-2 in a format where the higher seed also hosts a potential Game 5, putting the franchise's first championship bid in serious jeopardy against a Valkyries team that has won all five of its postseason home games.
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