SAN FRANCISCO — After dropping Game 1 of the WNBA Finals to the No. 2 seed Golden State Valkyries, the No. 4 seed Atlanta Dream find themselves is unfamiliar territory heading into Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 19.
The Valkyries overcame a nine-point deficit to secure a 68-64 win and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Valkyries' victory snapped the Dream's 10-game win streak dating back to the regular season. It was Atlanta's first loss of the postseason and first defeat since Aug. 28.
"Unfortunately, we had kind of one bad defensive quarter where we had a few breakdowns and then one bad offensive quarter in the fourth," Dream head coach Karl Smesko said. "Now we're just going to have to watch film, make some adjustments and come out as hard as we possibly can, because we obviously want to leave here winning Game 2."
The film from Game 1 shows the Dream conceding 17 points off 12 turnovers, all while shooting 33% from the field and 16% from the 3-point line. Allisha Gray finished with a team-high 19 points and six rebounds in her first game back in the lineup after a left hand injury and "minor procedure" sidelined her two playoff games. Angel Reese recorded 14 points in the first half, but was held scoreless the second half.
"I wasn't aggressive enough with the ball and trying to ... get to my spot," said Reese, who pointed to self-inflicted wounds as the difference in the game. "I think it was all things that we did."
RECAP: Golden State Valkyries hold off Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of WNBA Finals
Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 26 points, most of which came in the second quarter (16). Williams was the only player in double-digits for Golden State, but eight different players scored, including Kiah Stokes (eight points, four blocks) and Kaila Charles (seven points, 10 rebounds).
Game 2 of the WNBA Finals is Monday, Oct. 18, at the Chase Center (8 p.m. USA, CNBC, Peacock). USA TODAY Sports is on the ground, providing live updates and highlights. Here's what to know:
2026 WNBA Finals schedule
06:01 AM ET, October 19 2026, Cydney Henderson- Saturday, Oct. 17, Game 1: Golden State 68, Atlanta 64 | Recap, Winners and losers
- Monday, Oct. 19, Game 2: Atlanta at Golden State | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, Game 3: Golden State at Atlanta | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- Saturday, Oct. 24, Game 4: Golden State at Atlanta | 1 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- *Monday, Oct. 26, Game 5: Atlanta at Golden State | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- *Thursday, Oct. 29, Game 6: Golden State at Atlanta | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- *Saturday, Oct. 31, Game 7: Atlanta at Golden State | 8 p.m. ET (USA/Peacock/CNBC)
- * If necessary
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden State Valkyries vs Atlanta Dream in WNBA Finals: Time, TV, how to watch