Gabby Williams scores 26 points, sends Valkyries to 68-64 Game 1 win in defensive WNBA Finals opener

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gabby Williams converted two free throws with 1:18 left to put Golden State ahead, two more with 4.1 seconds to go and finished with 26 points facing constant pressure from Atlanta’s stingy defense, and the Valkyries held off the Dream 68-64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. Williams scored 16 of her points in the second quarter and no other Valkyries reached double figures as they shot 32.1% and 7 of 33 from 3-point range. Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Monday night back at Chase Center, where the ear-piercing noise from a raucous sellout “Ballhalla” crowd made for the exact hostile environment coach Natalie Nakase requested.