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WNBA Finals Tip Off with Dream's Reese and Valkyries' Williams Leading the Charge
· Confirmed
In Short: The WNBA Finals begin with the Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese and the Golden State Valkyries' Gabby Williams leading their teams.
The WNBA Finals kicked off on Saturday night with the Atlanta Dream facing off against the Golden State Valkyries in a highly anticipated matchup.
Angel Reese, a key player for the Dream, has been pivotal on both ends of the court during the playoffs, averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.0 assists, and 1.6 steals.
Gabby Williams, leading the Valkyries, scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Game 1, helping her team secure a 68-64 victory.
The Dream are chasing their first championship in franchise history, having lost in the Finals three times in four years from 2010 to 2013.
Reese's teammate, Rhyne Howard, who missed the final two games of the Dream's series due to injury, could return if she receives final medical clearance.
Williams, who underwent a minor procedure on her injured hand, has been gradually increasing her participation in practice leading up to the Finals.
The Valkyries dominated the glass 52-25 and turned 17 offensive rebounds into 20 second-chance points, showcasing their defensive prowess.
In a defensive showdown, the Dream and Valkyries both emphasized the importance of strong defense, with Atlanta ranking ninth in the league with 25 defensive rebounds per game led by Angel Reese, who averages 7.3.
Golden State, meanwhile, is shooting 42.2% from the field, 4.7 percentage points lower than the 46.9% Atlanta allows to opponents.
The Dream's Angel Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds but struggled in the second half, failing to make a field goal.
Gabby Williams expressed her excitement and focus on defense after the game, saying, 'I was just excited to be here. Once we started having fun we started to find our way. We always know we are going to find a way, that’s why we rely on our defense.'
What this adds
The Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, marked their return to the US Open women’s doubles competition after four years but were defeated in a thrilling three-set battle.
Chad Gilbert, the lead guitarist of New Found Glory and Hayley Williams' ex-husband, died after battling stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma.
Background
The WNBA Finals begin with the Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese and the Golden State Valkyries' Gabby Williams leading their teams.
What's confirmed
- The WNBA Finals kicked off on Saturday night with the Atlanta Dream facing off against the Golden State Valkyries in a highly anticipated matchup.
- Angel Reese, a key player for the Dream, has been pivotal on both ends of the court during the playoffs, averaging 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.0 assists, and 1.6 steals.
- Gabby Williams, leading the Valkyries, scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Game 1, helping her team secure a 68-64 victory.
- The Dream are chasing their first championship in franchise history, having lost in the Finals three times in four years from 2010 to 2013.
- Reese's teammate, Rhyne Howard, who missed the final two games of the Dream's series due to injury, could return if she receives final medical clearance.
- Williams, who underwent a minor procedure on her injured hand, has been gradually increasing her participation in practice leading up to the Finals.
- The Valkyries dominated the glass 52-25 and turned 17 offensive rebounds into 20 second-chance points, showcasing their defensive prowess.
- In a defensive showdown, the Dream and Valkyries both emphasized the importance of strong defense, with Atlanta ranking ninth in the league with 25 defensive rebounds per game led by Angel Reese, who averages 7.3.
- Golden State, meanwhile, is shooting 42.2% from the field, 4.7 percentage points lower than the 46.9% Atlanta allows to opponents.
- The Dream's Angel Reese added 14 points and 12 rebounds but struggled in the second half, failing to make a field goal.
What's still developing
- According to ESPN, Smesko does not anticipate placing any restrictions on Gray if she receives final medical clearance.
- Gray averaged a career-high 19 points per game during the regular season, leading the Dream in scoring while also contributing 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest.
- New York, September 05 (H.S.): Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams marked their return to the US Open women’s doubles competition after four years, but their comeback ended in defeat after a thrilling three-set battle against Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint.
- The Williams sisters, who have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, produced a remarkable fightback after falling behind in the third set.
- Keenum started the game because Williams is sidelined with a hamstring injury and second-stringer Tyson Bagent was not cleared from concussion protocol until Sunday.
- Starting in place of the injured Caleb Williams, Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns and a 110.8 passer rating.
- With Caleb Williams out, the Chicago Bears needed Case Keenum to provide a steady presence in their Monday matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Taking the field without Caleb Williams for the first time, Johnson’s answer, a 38-year-old Case Keenum in his first NFL snaps since 2023, was a resounding yes.
- The sisters captured 14 major women's doubles championships as an undefeated pair in Grand Slam finals.
- Needless to say, both Williams and Reese are on the list and have moved up the rankings.
- Jun 21, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles the ball against Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) during the second quarter of a WNBA basketball game at Michelob Ultra Arena.
- Serena and Venus established a commanding 5-0 lead during the tiebreak, but ultimately fell 6-3, 6-7 (6), and 7-6 (10-7) to Joint and Chan.