Kenya Madina Okot miss out on historic minutes for di WNBA Finals as di Atlanta Dream fall 68-64 to di Golden State Valkyries for Game One of di best-of-seven series on Saturday night for Chase Center for San Francisco. Okot stay for bench as Dream get chance for di final minute to force overtime but no fit break through Golden State league-best defence.
Di loss end Atlanta five-game postseason winning streak. Allisha Gray, wey come back from hand injury wey keep her out of part of di semifinals, lead Dream with 19 points. Angel Reese add 14 and Rhyne Howard contribute 12.
Atlanta surge to 22-14 lead after di first quarter behind Reese 11 points on five of six shooting. Golden State answer with 28 second-quarter points to take 42-39 halftime lead. Dream take over 56-51 after dem limit di Valkyries to 16% shooting for di third quarter (4-of-25) while connecting at 50% demself (6-of-12).
Gabby Williams lead di Valkyries with 26 points, di only Golden State player wey pass eight. She sink two free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining after one foul to seal di 68-64 result. Kiah Stokes add late basket and two crucial free throws to keep di hosts for front.
"We get couple of good looks, dem just no go down for us," Dream head coach Karl Smesko tok. "When we get opportunity to finish one game, we just gatz do am."
Di defeat extend Atlanta WNBA Finals losing streak to 0-10, following previous defeats for 2010, 2011 and 2013. Di Valkyries go host Game Two on Monday, with both clubs chasing first WNBA title.
