The Golden State Valkyries won a thrilling and nail-biting Game 1 over the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals, and the turning point might have come earlier than fans might think.
If Game 1 was any indicator, then the 2026 WNBA Finals will be defined by defense. That means scoring runs will be key and asserting the tone of the matchup will decide games.
Atlanta started off hot and sped up the Valkyries in the halfcourt, which enabled them to play their game and earn an eight-point lead after the first quarter. The Dream ended the opening period on an 11-0 run.
The first quarter highlighted an issue the Valkyries faced throughout the season: Inconsistent offense. However, what's been reliable for them this season is what they do after the first quarter.
Golden State have been the best second-quarter team in the WNBA
Gabby Williams was clutch for Golden State down the stretch, but she started the game off slow, with zero points in the first quarter. She then scored 16 of her 26 points in the second quarter.
The two-time All-Star's offensive spark helped the Valkyries get a lead, winning the second quarter, 28-17. The Dream felt that effect heading into halftime.
"I just think in the second quarter, we had some miscommunications that we didn't have in the first quarter," Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko told reporters. "I thought our team defended, for the whole game, (excellently), but when the game's this close, a couple of breakdowns can make the difference."
The Valkyries getting the game back on track forced those miscommunications, and it set the tone for the second half. Golden State intentionally wanted to get into rock fights, and it held Atlanta to 25 points in the second half.
Those second-quarter swings have helped the Valkyries all season. They led the WNBA in second-quarter net rating in the regular season, and they've kept that up in the playoffs. Natalie Nakase's side also led the league in total 3-pointers and steals in the second quarter during the regular season.
Golden State's bench has been key for them this season, which explains their proficiency in the second quarter. It also speaks to Nakase's in-game adjustments and her ability to pull the right levers for her team at any time.
How you start can be just as important
This could be an X-factor in the series. Atlanta was seventh in net rating in the second quarter this postseason, so Golden State has the edge.
The most important thing in the playoffs is the ability to play your game. If there are matchups where teams fail to reach the 70-point mark, then that makes the margins tighter. This includes how you end halves.
Atlanta benefits from Smesko's ability to adjust in the second half, which is why the coaching matchup was just as enticing as the player matchups. However, if Golden State can continue to set its tone in the second quarter, just like it has done throughout the regular season and playoffs, then this could be a shorter series than the Dream hope.
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