Atlanta takes Gabby Williams' Valkyries into a final game for the WNBA title

Who will end up K-O? The WNBA finals have everything of a boxing match, and it was Atlanta which delivered an uppercut to Gabby Williams' Valkyries on Thursday, October 29 (80-69) to get back to 3-3 and clinch a final round for the title. The French captain was the top scorer of the clash, with 26 points (8/22 shooting), but Atlanta was remarkable for its intensity at home, suffocating San Francisco from the start.

“They set the tone from the start of the match by being very physical. They put the pressure on, did everything to keep the ball, and not us,” says Gabby Williams, disappointed, after the match. Atlanta star Angel Reese had a full game (15 points, 14 rebounds). “Every time we started strong in this series, we won the match,” rejoices the one who carried her team to seal the victory in games 2 and 3 of the series. The Dream had no choice but to win to survive in this best-of-seven matchup, and they did so brilliantly despite the unusual schedule, in the middle of the day in Atlanta (12:30 p.m. local time).

A decisive home game for Golden State

In an electric stadium, Reese's gang broke away in the first quarter to lead 32-15. The lead swelled, with Atlanta up to 25 points in the second quarter (44-19). The Golden State Valkyries then chased the score, never coming back. A basket from Gabby Williams reduced the gap to 8 points in the last quarter (77-69), but a three-point shot from Allisha Gray in the process nipped the start in the bud.

The Blue captain's Valkyries will have to start very strong on Saturday during the final clash for the title, which will take place in the bustling "Ballhalla", nickname of the San Francisco venue on WNBA match days, in reference to Valhalla from Nordic mythology. A title would be unprecedented for both franchises, but it would sound even more like an achievement for the Golden State Valkyries, who are only playing their second season in the North American league.