WNBA FINALS: DREAM VS. VALKYRIES

October 17, 2026

Karl Smesko

Angel Reese

Allisha Gray

Atlanta Dream

Game 1: Postgame

Golden State Valkyries 68, Atlanta Dream 64

KARL SMESKO: Obviously a tough finish for us. I think it's kind of the game everybody expected. It was two teams competing as hard as they can. Unfortunately, we had kind of one bad defensive quarter where we had a few breakdowns, and then one bad offensive quarter in the fourth where we kind of turned it over and didn't have the kind of shot quality that we wanted.

But I'm really proud of our team's effort. I like the way that we approached things. Now we're just going to have to watch some film, make some adjustments and come out and compete again as hard as we possibly can. We obviously want to leave here winning Game 2.

Q. Was it that the Valkyries had turned up any physicality toward the end of the fourth quarter or the second quarter?

KARL SMESKO: I just think in the second quarter, all of a sudden, we had a couple miscommunications that we didn't have in the first quarter. I thought our team defended, for the whole game, excellent. But when a game is this close, even a couple breakdowns can make the difference.

And then, like in the fourth quarter, we attacked the rim; didn't get the call. And then they were able to get out in transition. Get some easy ones when we didn't get the call and I thought that had a big impact on the game.

Q. Allisha, obviously your first game back, you had a great game. Not the outcome you wanted but how are you feeling physically and how can your team get better going into Game 2?

ALLISHA GRAY: I felt good playing out there. Finger felt good. Was able to get through the physicality.

Definitely disappointed in the loss. But like Coach said, we're going to have a film session to clean up some mistakes that we had, and be prepared and ready to win Game 2.

Q. Angel, that second half, what was different for you in terms of not taking as many shot attempts? What was it that the Valkyries were doing that slowed you down there?

ANGEL REESE: I don't think they really did anything. Maybe that was just on me, I wasn't aggressive enough with the ball and trying to get to the ball and get to my spots.

Definitely going to do a better job of that next game.

Q. What were you guys looking to get kind of in that last stretch where they were kind of able to go on that last run? Because I believe you guys ended up with kind of three contested three-point attempts.

KARL SMESKO: I thought we had one really good look with Rhyne, and then when they were up floor, Lish got wide open for an open three, done to the last few seconds. They guarded some actions really well.

I just think in the second half, in particular, we didn't move the ball well enough. Like we did a little bit too much one-on-one instead of getting into actions. Angel had a great first half. We didn't get her the ball enough. Those will be some things that we talk about for Game 2.

Q. I guess this is mostly for you, what sort of unique challenges does Gabby Williams present for you defensively, especially when they spread the court and give her space?

KARL SMESKO: Yeah, well, she's a great attacker, and then she can also pull up off the dribble for three. So definitely puts a lot of pressure on your defense.

I thought she had a great first half. I thought we defended her a little bit better in the second half. But still a couple key breakdowns to let her get to the rim.

But we look forward to cleaning those things up and playing better in Game 2.

Q. Angel, you've kind of been one of the emotional leaders of the team, and I think you've talked pouring life into your team. What do you say now to your team going into Game 2 so that you guys remain poised and composed like you guys have been talking about?

ANGEL REESE: Yeah, just going back into the film room and the figuring out things that messed up on and things that we can better at.

I think it was all things that we did, yeah.

Q. I wanted to ask you, how much do you feel like your team tonight played your brand of basketball versus being forced into a game that you don't usually like to play with what the Valkyries were able to do?

KARL SMESKO: You know, I thought there were times where we were playing great, especially on the defensive end. I thought offensively, our execution at the very beginning of the game was excellent.

I just think we need to maintain what our -- how we want to play for a whole four quarters. We had a couple dry spells where we just weren't working together as well as you need to against this defense. They are not just going to give you easy shots.

So we are going to need to work together to create these advantages, and I thought when we did that, you know, we got pretty good looks. Now, we didn't shoot it as well for the quality of look that we got, but we have good shooters that can knock it down, and we are looking forward to them knocking it down in Game 2.

Q. Just in terms of those dry spells late in the game, you guys missed something like five late three-point attempts in the final minutes. Did you like those looks or do you want to see something different from your team late there?

KARL SMESKO: Well, some of them were good. Some of them, they had us well defended and we were getting late on the clock. We had a couple what I would call good looks. Just didn't go down for us. Naz had a good look at three. Rhyne had a good look at three. We knock down either of those, we're not talking about whatever mistakes we made. We have a chance to win the game. And they are getting a last shot or something that they are going to have to execute against our defense to try to win.

But that's what this game comes down to. Like you have two shots go in and out, and at some point in the game, they bank in a three. I mean, you know, I don't think we can -- we're going to look at everything. We're going to watch and try to get better.

But I mean, we were right there. Right there. So that's why it hurts a little bit. But it also motivates us. We know what we're capable of doing. So, you know, we'll have one day to get ourselves as ready as possible, and then I think we'll play even better.

Q. On the offense, specifically Rhyne, going back to the regular season matchups, she hasn't had her usual level of effectiveness against Golden State. Is she missing shots that she normally makes or are they doing anything differently to bother her?

KARL SMESKO: Golden State is a great defense but I have a lot of confidence that we're going to see some really big games from Rhy and others and that we'll take care of what we need to take care of.

Q. Before the game, you spoke about having to be prepared for the environment that is at Chase Center. How do you think everyone handled it? And if the players have anything to say about how communication was during the game.

KARL SMESKO: Well, I think they handled it great. I don't think -- I thought the environment was great. I thought the crowd was great. They were loud. They were cheering at all the right times.

But I think when we had a breakdown, it was something that we worked on and we just would have a miscommunication or something like that.

I think our team handled the environment great. Now we've just got to -- when we have an opportunity to finish a game, we've just got to do it.