The Golden State Valkyries are staring down a 2-1 deficit in the WNBA Finals, and after a brutal 26-point rout in Game 3, their star, Gabby Williams, let her teammates have it. Down 97-71 to the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday at State Farm Arena, Williams gathered the squad right after the final buzzer, delivering an animated, impassioned speech. She’s clearly trying to ignite a fire under a Valkyries team that’s faltered down the stretch in back-to-back double-digit losses in Games 2 and 3.
Williams’ Game 1 Glory Feels A Lifetime Ago
Remember Game 1? Williams dropped 26 points in that nail-biting 68-64 comeback win at Chase Center. It felt like this second-year franchise, who’s already stunned the WNBA with their Finals run, was poised for something special. But something shifted late in that very game. After a collision with Atlanta’s Jordin Canada in the final minutes, Williams hasn’t looked the same. While she and head coach Natalie Nakase aren’t making excuses, the stats don’t lie. Williams, the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, has gone just 8-of-33 from the field over the last two games, struggling to put up 29 points combined. The team’s floor spacing has just fallen apart, too.
Defense Is Just As Alarming
It’s not just her offense that’s been off. Williams is usually an absolute beast on defense, showing flashes with eight steals in the series. But even she ran a 118 defensive rating in Game 3, as the Dream shot a shocking 49 percent from the field. Think about that: it’s been nearly a month since Golden State’s defense allowed an opponent to shoot that well. That’s a huge problem when you’re trying to win a championship. This team needs to tighten up, and fast.
This series is far from over, but the Valkyries absolutely have to find a way to win Game 4. If they can pull it off, they’ll reclaim home-court advantage, with Game 5 and a potential Game 7 back at their home arena, Ballhalla. But the team, and especially Gabby Williams, have to snap out of this slump and stop faltering in the clutch if they want to keep their championship dreams alive. It’s time to see if Williams’ impassioned words can spark the comeback this team desperately needs.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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