The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream in Game 1, 68–64

Game story

The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68–64 on Saturday, October 17. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points; Allisha Gray had 19 for the Dream.

Who stood out

Gabby Williams (Valkyries): 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting (3-of-11 from three), 7-of-8 at the line in 33 minutes, a +16 in her minutes. She came in averaging 14.5 points over 40 games of the 2026 regular season.

Kiah Stokes (Valkyries): 9 points on 4-of-7 shooting (0-of-1 from three), 1-of-2 at the line in 25 minutes, a +1 in her minutes.

Allisha Gray (Dream): 19 points on 5-of-19 shooting (1-of-8 from three), 8-of-8 at the line in 33 minutes, a +2 in her minutes.

How it happened

It did not start that way: the Dream led 22–14 after one quarter and by as many as 9. The second quarter was the swing — the Valkyries won it 28–17 — and they led 42–39 at halftime. The game had seven lead changes; the Valkyries’ largest lead was 5.

The Valkyries’ bench outscored the Dream’s, 20–6.

The Valkyries made 25-78 from the field (32%) and 7-33 from three; the Dream 21-64 (33%). Turnovers ran 10–12, and points off turnovers 8–17 in the Dream’s favor — the margin came from shooting, not possession control. Rebounds went 41–35, points in the paint 32–30.

What it means

A reason to be cautious about carrying this game forward: the Valkyries gave up more points off turnovers than they scored, 17–8. One game is still one game.

After the result the Valkyries were 32-12 and the Dream 30-14 (team schedules through October 17). The Valkyries’ 68 was 14.2 below the 82.2 a game they averaged entering it.

Next up: ATL at GS on Oct 19 (no market capture yet) — and the Dream allow 84.5 a game, 12th-most of 15. Player props enter the board inside 36 hours of tip.