Gabby Williams Identifies Biggest Difference in Dream Ahead of WNBA Finals

The last time the Golden State Valkyries saw the Atlanta Dream was July 4 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Ga. Golden State came back from a 77-74 deficit in the final minutes with an 8-0 run and won 88-83, finishing a 3-0 regular-season sweep.

Gabby Williams said Wednesday that the biggest difference in Atlanta since then is DeWanna Bonner. The WNBA Finals open Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Chase Center in San Francisco on NBC and Peacock.

Williams and point guard Veronica Burton spoke during a video conference with reporters along with Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase.

Bonner joined Atlanta late in the season. She is making her second consecutive Finals appearance and is averaging 13.2 points in the playoffs, according to the Valkyries.

Williams was in her first season with Golden State in July and still learning the team's principles. Las Vegas beat the Valkyries in all three regular-season meetings.

"I think our team, we've grown," Williams said. "I mean, we were still figuring each other out. I was still figuring out the team, still understanding new principles, everything. I think that's also why like Vegas was a good litmus test for us because obviously we went 0-3 very early in the season against them. But then seeing how much we've grown, especially I think in like late game situations as far as staying together."

Williams said Bonner gives Atlanta something different from the team Golden State faced during the regular season.

"And then Atlanta, I think the biggest difference is DeWanna Bonner on and off the court," Williams continued. "I can imagine how much she's talking in that locker room on what it takes to win. So I think that a championship experience is obviously going to give Atlanta a different kind of boost. But at the end of the day, we're still Valkyries, we're still Atlanta, we can't change too much. But I think those would be the biggest changes."

Golden State swept Las Vegas 3-0 in the semifinals. The Valkyries closed the series with an 87-77 overtime win in Las Vegas on Oct. 9 after trailing by 13 points, and they outscored the Aces 16-6 in the extra period.

Experience is part of what Burton sees in both teams.

"I don't really have anything different than that," Burton said. "I think just we've handled a lot of tough situations better than we probably did in the beginning. And experience is a big part in that as well. But same with them. I think they've been able to rally in a different way as well. And so I think we're two very different teams than the last time that we played. And that's exciting as well."

Atlanta has not lost in the playoffs. The Dream swept the Washington Mystics 2-0 in the first round and the New York Liberty 3-0 in the semifinals after winning nine of their final 10 regular-season games. They finished two games behind the 32-12 Valkyries in the standings and are the No. 4 seed.

Allisha Gray, who led Atlanta with 19.0 points per game in the regular season, was hurt in Game 1 against New York and missed the last two games of the series. She is day-to-day after a procedure on her hand.

Jordin Canada is averaging 19.2 points in the playoffs after averaging 11.6 in the regular season, including a second-half surge that carried Atlanta past the Liberty in Game 1. Angel Reese, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 1.6 steals and 2.2 blocks in the playoffs.

Burton said general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and Nakase made culture the priority in year one.

"I think just what Gabby and Coach Nat have been saying, the culture," Burton explained. "I think culture is something that lasts and something that goes beyond just one year or one season. And to be able to instill that in year one, I think that's why it was so important that that's what Ohemaa and Nat prioritized. And so I do believe that that's going to continue to last here and that I hope we instilled it and I hope it continues to grow. But I think everyone around the league, like I think from the outside, you can see that that's how we play. That's how we care for one another. And so if anything, that lasts. I hope that continues to."

Every fan at Game 1 will receive a violet "This is Ballhalla" shirt, according to the team.

The way the Valkyries care for one another and connect with the community go hand in hand for Burton.

"I think it's something that we talk about all the time," Burton said. "It's not something that any of us take lightly. With that comes great responsibility. And so I think the way that we care for one another and the way that we connect with the community, all of it kind of goes hand in hand. Just giving back our time, our energy, and our love because we're not where we are without our fans, without Ballhalla, without the investment from the community. And I do think that we understand that."

"And so it goes hand in hand with how we give back as well," Burton continued. "And I think just to see young little girls, young little boys at our games watching, cheering us on, that's what this is all about. And we were all in those moments. And so I think just knowing that we have that impact, it's really special and it is a privilege, and we don't take it lightly."

The Dream are 0-9 all-time in Finals games. Game 2 is Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center on USA and Peacock, and Games 3 and 4 move to State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Oct. 21 and Oct. 24.