The Golden State Valkyries hosted the Atlanta Dream in the last game of the WNBA Finals on Saturday after a series where both teams had times in the ascendancy. The Valkyries had the faster start in front of a loud home crowd, but the Dream fought back and had the lead for a while. Golden State made a second half push and had the lead going into the fourth quarter, getting the plays that they needed in the final minutes to take the lead again and hold on for the 68-63 win. It completed another magical season for the team after capturing the championship in only their second year of play.
The Lineup
The Valkyries went with the same rotation, but they tightened their first half rotation back down to eight players. That narrowed further in the second half to seven players as Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, and Kaila Charles played all 20 minutes. After using Laeticia Amihere as a backup center, the Valkyries changed back to smallball for the minutes that Kiah Stokes did not play. Atlanta did have Te-Hina Paopao available, but played the seven players who had received nearly all of the minutes in this series. Both teams also switched up some of their defensive matchups for this game to try to find an edge in the last game.
First Quarter
Both teams traded turnovers to start the game before Veronica Burton got the Valkyries on the board after getting just enough space to shoot a jumper before the shot clock expired. Defense continued to rule early as Kaila Charles scored next after getting a driving lane for a layup two minutes later. Kiah Stokes was in position for an offensive rebound and got the putback and then Charles got a steal, drawing the foul as she tried to get the fastbreak layup, leading to the Atlanta timeout after she made both free throws.
The Dream got their first basket a minute later and started a run, adding a layup and three-pointer. Tiffany Hayes answered with a layup after catching a perfectly placed pass and taking the lane to the rim. Atlanta scored on their next two possessions to take the lead for the first time. Burton got the advantage back with another tough shot late in the shot clock before the Dream tied the score with their first free throw. She made one more basket for the 14-12 lead to end the quarter.
Second Quarter
The Valkyries were cold early in the quarter with Atlanta scoring the first seven points before a timeout. That did not help as the drought ended past the halfway point of the quarter and the Dream scored again. Veronica Burton was able to get fouled on a drive to get two free throws and Tiffany Hayes got one more point at the stripe. Atlanta got a three-point player, but Kayla Thornton answered that with the first make from beyond the arc before the media timeout. The Dream also split a pair of free throws and got a putback before Gabby Williams scored her first basket. Hayes made a tough layup in response to a Dream three-pointer, leaving Golden State trailing 30-24 at the break.
Third Quarter
Gabby Williams scored on the opening possession of the half, but Atlanta quickly answered with a three-pointer. After misses on both sides, Kiah Stokes was able to get the putback before the Dream responded again ahead of an early Valkyries timeout. Atlanta took their biggest lead before another Stokes got room to roll to the basket for another layup. Cecilia Zandalasini scored her first basket and then Williams made it a one-possession game to force a Dream timeout. Atlanta found some rhythm on offense with scores on three consecutive possessions, but Williams hit a pair of three-pointers to keep it close. The defense got the stops in the final two minutes as Williams made another three-pointer and got the 45-44 lead by setting up a baseline jumper.
Fourth Quarter
It was the same story on offense to start this quarter as Gabby Williams pulled up for a jumper from the elbow. Atlanta responded before Tiffany Hayes was just able to sweep past her defender for a layup. There was a stoppage when the Dream unsuccessfully challenged a foul call and then Williams hit the two free throws. Atlanta got a three-point play before Hayes made another tough basket, but they tied the score with a pair of free throws and another basket. The Valkyries were able to successfully challenge a foul call on Williams halfway through the quarter.
Both teams continued to attack the paint as Williams made two free throws that were answered again as the same thing happened after her layup. Her three-pointer led to a Dream timeout and she made two more free throws after a defensive stop. The defense did its job again the Valkyries were able to run the clock with some help from offensive rebounds as Kiah Stokes was timely again with a putback. Atlanta pushed for the three-pointer and finally made one as the Valkyries took a timeout. Hayes made the free throws after the first foul to extend the game, but the Dream also got fouled, splitting the pair. It got a little tricky in the end when Atlanta made it a one-possession game after free throws and forced a jumpball. Golden State secured the possession though and Veronica Burton made the last two free throws for the 68-63 final margin.
Player of the Game
The award goes to Gabby Williams, who was also awarded MVP for the entire series. This was a game where she had a quieter first half with other players trying to establish themselves, but she took over in the second half again and pushed the action on nearly every possession. Changing her defensive assignments for this game also helped make sure that she would have the extra energy she needed to finish the game strong. After a great first season, the team looked to add at least one more star who would fit well with what had already been established and she was the perfect addition. She added even more to the defense while being the player who was ready to take on an offensive role late in games.
The Verdict
In a series where there were different styles in different games, the Valkyries were once again able to play a game in their preferred style and prevail. Even though they trailed for long stretches, their defense kept the Dream from putting the game out of reach, giving them time to find their rhythm on offense to ultimately get the win. While winning a championship in season two was not expected by anyone other than the most optimistic fans, Golden State showed all season long that they were one of the top teams in the league and a contender. They had some great moments in this playoff run and then did enough in the Finals against another team trying to break through for their first title.
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