Gabby Williams scores 26 as Valkyries win WNBA Finals opener 68-64

Golden State took a 1-0 lead in the 2026 WNBA Finals by beating Atlanta 68-64 in Game 1. Gabby Williams finished with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and three 3-pointers.

Williams did all of her first-half scoring in the second quarter, putting up 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting by halftime. The WNBA said she became the sixth player in Finals history to score at least 15 points in a quarter.

Atlanta led 64-61 with 2:38 remaining, but Williams' two free throws put Golden State ahead 65-64 with 1:18 left. Kiah Stokes added a free throw for a 66-64 lead with 23.8 seconds remaining. Stokes finished with nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks, while Kaila Charles added seven points, 10 rebounds and two steals.