The Golden State Valkyries had a chance to win their first championship yesterday. They did not seize the opportunity. The Atlanta Dream were ready to extend their season from the moment the game started. The Valkyries did not match their energy early on, giving up 32 points in the first quarter.
Both Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton admitted in the postgame media availability that the team simply hadn’t been ready to go. They did give Laeticia Amihere credit for being one of the few prepared players, though.
The Valkyries, especially Gabby Williams, eventually found their sense of urgency. After scoring 4 points in the first quarter and none in the second quarter, Williams played the second half with a much more aggressive offensive mindset. She put up seven points in the third quarter, and then really took over the offense in the fourth quarter.
She was aggressive, attacking the rim, and drawing fouls on her way to a 13-point fourth quarter. It was the will and aggressiveness the Valkyries needed to win the championship, but, with the Dream already in the lead and in a good rhythm, it came several quarters too late.
Williams needs to play with that same offensive mindset she showed in the fourth quarter in all of Game 7. No matter how good the Valkyries’ defense is, someone will need to put points on the board to outscore the Dream.
Whoever punches first will win the championship
After the game, Angel Reese said that punching first had been one of the Dream’s priorities going into the biggest game of their season. The team that throws the first punch usually gets to dictate the style and pace of the game.
It will be no different in Game 7, and Williams and the Valkyries cannot afford to wait until the second half to get going. The Dream certainly won’t. They know that getting off to a good start is their key to success, especially in a hostile arena with over 18,000 fans cheering on the Valkyries. But Angel Reese has willed the Dream to a big win in Ballhalla before and will be determined to do the same in Game 7.
Plus, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray built some great momentum in the last game. At least one of them is likely to have a big offensive game and knock down shots early. The Valkyries will need to match that with a big game from Gabby Williams.
That is easier said than done, however. These finals have not been easy for Williams scoring-wise. She has not shot better than 36.4% from the field in a game yet and went 10-for-44 from behind the arc in the first six games.
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