Kenya's Madina Okot missed out on historic minutes in the WNBA Finals as the Atlanta Dream fell 68-64 to the Golden State Valkyries in Game One of the best-of-seven series on Saturday night at Chase Center in San Francisco. Okot stayed on the bench as the Dream had a chance in the final minute to force overtime but could not break through Golden State's league-best defence.
The loss ended Atlanta's five-game postseason winning streak. Allisha Gray, returning from a hand injury that kept her out of part of the semifinals, led the Dream with 19 points. Angel Reese added 14 and Rhyne Howard contributed 12.
Atlanta surged to a 22-14 lead after the first quarter behind Reese's 11 points on five of six shooting. Golden State answered with 28 second-quarter points to take a 42-39 halftime lead. The Dream moved ahead 56-51 after limiting the Valkyries to 16% shooting in the third quarter (4-of-25) while connecting at 50% themselves (6-of-12).
Gabby Williams spearheaded the Valkyries with 26 points, the only Golden State player above eight. She sank two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining after a foul to seal the 68-64 result. Kiah Stokes added a late basket and two crucial free throws to keep the hosts in front.
"We had a couple of good looks, they just didn't go down for us," Dream head coach Karl Smesko said. "When we have an opportunity to finish a game, we've just got to do it."
The defeat extended Atlanta's WNBA Finals losing streak to 0-10, following previous defeats in 2010, 2011 and 2013. The Valkyries host Game Two on Monday, with both clubs chasing a first WNBA title.
