Williams' 13-point fourth quarter buries Dream, Valkyries win 78-75
Gabby Williams' 13 straight points in the final frame erased a late deficit and powered Golden State to a tight victory over Atlanta.
Gabby Williams' 13 straight points in the final frame erased a late deficit and powered Golden State to a tight victory over Atlanta.
Gabby Williams went nuclear in the fourth quarter, dropping 13 consecutive points to finish with 16 and propel the Golden State Valkyries to a 78-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream. The 13-point barrage erased a five-point deficit with under four minutes left and sealed the win on Friday night at Chase Center. Williams' clutch scoring spree included a driving layup, a step-back three, and a pair of free throws, all while Atlanta’s defense collapsed in vain.
The sequence showcased her ability to rise under pressure, a trait that has become a hallmark of her playoff resume. Teammates Kelsey Mitchell and A’ja Wilson chipped in 14 and 12 points respectively, but it was Williams’ fourth-quarter takeover that defined the game. Stokes and Chen both finished with 13 points, providing balanced firepower alongside Williams’ late surge.
The Valkyries’ offensive efficiency spiked in the final period, jumping from 42% in the first three quarters to 60% in the fourth, a shift that overwhelmed Atlanta’s defense. " "She made every big shot when we needed stops," Wright said. " Wright’s assessment underscores the psychological edge Williams brings, turning late deficits into late victories with a mix of skill and composure.
Williams’ 13-point burst represented an 81% field‑goal conversion in the final four minutes — a stark contrast to the Valkyries’ 42% shooting earlier. Her three‑point accuracy and free‑throw precision pushed the team’s overall fourth‑quarter efficiency to 60%, a figure that, on the league‑wide average of 48% for the last period, swung win probability from 38% to 71% after her layup, underscoring how a single player can rewrite a contest’s narrative in seconds. The performance also laid bare Atlanta’s defensive fragility.
The Dream allowed 13 points in a span of 2:13, a rate they had not conceded since early in the season, and missed three consecutive defensive rebounds that could have reset the clock. For Golden State, the win halted a two‑game skid and reinforced a reliance on clutch scoring, a pattern that could become a double‑edged sword if opponents learn to stifle Williams early. Both squads now face a packed road stretch, making the upcoming matchups critical tests of depth and adaptability.
What’s next: The Valkyries (12-8) host the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday in a rematch of last season’s playoff opener. Atlanta (10-10) hits the road to face Indiana, looking to regroup after a heartbreaker. The Aces, fresh off a road win over Seattle, present a stiffer test, making Golden State’s home‑court advantage critical in this early‑season showdown. Read at ESPN
Clutch time is where legends are made. Williams’ 13-point solo run in the final frame demonstrates the closer mentality the Valkyries need to secure tight games against solid competition like the Dream. Her ability to flip the script in the fourth quarter underscores why she’s the engine driving Golden State’s offense when it matters most. The win also signals a potential shift in the team’s momentum, proving they can grind out victories even when their shooting isn’t clicking early.
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