Gabby Williams delivered when it mattered most. The Valkyries scraped past the Dream 68-64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, holding on in a defensive grind that looked nothing like a championship-clinching performance but felt exactly like one.
This was ugly basketball. Both teams combined to shoot poorly, and possessions dragged on. The Dream made it a fight the entire way, but Williams made the plays Las Vegas needed down the stretch. The Valkyries' offense sputtered for stretches, yet they found enough stops to survive.
Surviving Game 1 at home matters. The Dream stayed close despite shooting poorly themselves, which means Atlanta will take confidence into Game 2. But the Valkyries got what matters most: the first win. They're one step closer to the championship, and Williams proved she won't let them lose these moments.
This series looks like it'll be decided by defense and clutch free throw shooting. The Finals aren't about beautiful basketball. They're about finding a way. Las Vegas found one.