The Golden State Valkyries have turned a rough playoff start into a real opportunity, and Gabby Williams is a big reason why. After the Valkyries fell into a 0-2 deficit, they still had a chance to make this a much longer series, helped by Williams' strong playoff run and the momentum of two wins over the Las Vegas Aces.
Williams has averaged 24 points per game in the playoffs, and her production has gone well beyond scoring. In the two wins over the Aces, she scored 45 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and dished out eight assists. For a team that needed someone to become the go-to player instead of relying on a committee approach, that kind of output has changed the conversation.
The larger challenge is obvious. Las Vegas still has A'ja Wilson, widely viewed as the best player in the league and perhaps of all time, which makes any series against the Aces a difficult climb. But the Valkyries have shown they can make things uncomfortable, and Williams has been the player driving that shift.
Why Gabby Williams matters now
Golden State did not need just one strong game from Williams. It needed a playoff stretch that could change the tone of the series, and that is what she has provided. Scoring 45 points across two wins against a veteran opponent is one thing. Doing it while also contributing across the board is what has made her so important.
The Valkyries still face a difficult road from here, but the series no longer looks like a simple march for Las Vegas. The Aces are under pressure, the Valkyries have found a player who can carry more of the load, and that has created a real opening in the WNBA Playoffs.
