Gabby Williams said it herself: she couldn't lose on Pride Night. On Friday, the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream faced off for the second time in three days. The Valkyries made a bold statement to the rest of the league by beating the highly-ranked Dream twice in a row. Williams struggled greatly to start the second game, but put on her clutch cape in the fourth quarter to help the home team win 78-75.
Since signing with Golden State, many people in the WNBA space have questioned Williams' ability to lead a team offensively. The forward is widely known for her defense, having made multiple All-Defensive Teams and being named EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year twice in a row. To start the 2026 season, however, she has proven that she can lead a team in scoring, too. Through 19 games, Williams is averaging 16.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 steals in 26.5 minutes per game, and during Friday's contest, 13 of her 16 points came in the fourth, and she didn't miss a shot.
Williams' performance came 24 hours before All-Star fan voting ended, and it's safe to say she made a strong case for herself to appear on some last-minute ballots. As of June 24th, the Valkyries star was eighth in fan voting, behind names like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, A'ja Wilson, and Paige Bueckers, but if there were any residual questions about her being voted onto the All-Star team, she quieted them completely on Friday.
Williams is on a whole new level
As Coach Nakase said after the game, "[Williams is] one of the best two-way players in the world...We're just providing the stage for what we already knew...She's definitely an All-Star, but she's going to give credit to her teammates, because that's who she is. She's the most humble star I think I've ever coached before, and that's what makes her shine even more."
Williams' fourth quarter effort was a perfect microcosm of what she brings to this Valkyries team. After struggling in the first half and sitting for most of the third quarter, the forward checked back into the game ready to make an impact. It was as if the Dream would have to pry a win out of Williams dead hands, and she wasn't ready to let them do so. She drove to the basket with ease, making 4/4 of her field goals and drawing fouls, and despite missing three of her free throws in the clutch, Williams did all she could to lead her team to a victory against one of the toughest opponenents in the W, including a steal and another forced turnover that all but sealed the game.
Her personality and knack for leadership is on full display, too. After the final buzzer sounded, Williams faced the camera and yelled, "For the gays!" echoing Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve's sentiments after the Lynx lost to the Washington Mystics on Pride Night. In the post-game presser, Williams continued, showing Valkyries fans and the Bay as a whole why she was the perfect fit.
"I take Pride Night personal,” she said, “The Bay Area has historically been a pioneer for the Pride movement, so I just wanted to get it [done] for the Bay."
After the first game against the Dream on Wednesday, Williams spoke highly of her point guard Veronica Burton, saying she wants "to make sure she knows she's never alone" because she knows how hard it can be to think of your teammates before yourself like Burton so often does.
It's quotes like these, paired with her undeniable basketball skill, that mark a bright new chapter in Williams' career. She's always been great, but the Valkyries again and again prove to have been the best destination for Williams.
The Valkyries are competing with the best
Beating the Dream twice in a row is no small feat. The Valkyries now sit at third in the WNBA standings, tied with the Dream and New York Liberty in record, but having beaten both teams head-to-head. The team has historically struggled against top-ranked teams like the Las Vegas Aces and Lynx, so being able to prove to fans and to themselves that they can compete with the best of the best is a big step forward for the young franchise.
After signing with the Valkyries, Williams made it very clear that her goal was to win. Coach Nakase already proved that she can exceed expectations greatly by making the playoffs in the Valkyries’ first ever season in the W, but with Williams playing like she is and Burton taking the offensive leap she did last year, the first round of postseason play looks like the absolute floor for this team. Defense wins championships, and the Valkyries have the great privilege of having great offense to match.
As the team gears up to play the Liberty on Sunday, these kinds of games and player performances have great potential to help the Valkyries get their desired result. Only time will tell.
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