Dream fans keep the faith after Game 1 WNBA Finals loss to Valkyries

SAN FRANCISCO - In a close nail-biting game, the Atlanta Dream fought hard but ultimately lost Game 1 of the WNBA Finals to the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco.

What we know:

The Dream went scoreless over the final three minutes as the Golden State Valkyries rallied late for a 68-64 victory at Chase Center.

Atlanta held a 64-61 lead after Rhyne Howard knocked down two free throws with 3:12 remaining in the fourth quarter. From that point on, the Dream went cold, missing their final four 3-point attempts and committing key turnovers down the stretch.

Golden State capitalized with a game-ending 7-0 run. Gabby Williams drew a shooting foul and sank two free throws with 2:15 remaining to cut Atlanta's lead to one. At the 1:18 mark, Williams drew another foul on Reese and hit both free throws to put Golden State ahead for good, 65-64.

After missed 3-pointers by Howard and Naz Hillmon, Kiah Stokes split a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left to push Golden State's lead to two. Williams then sealed the victory by converting two more free throws with four seconds remaining, finishing with a game-high 26 points.

Allisha Gray led Atlanta with 19 points, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line while playing through an injured left ring finger. Reese anchored the paint with 14 points, 12 rebounds (five offensive), and two steals before fouling out with 24 seconds remaining. Howard added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Jordin Canada dished out seven assists.

What they're saying:

Back home in Atlanta, supporters packed bars and restaurants across Midtown and the metro area for official "All for Atlanta" watch parties, riding every emotional high and low of the four-point battle. Fans turned out in full force decked in red and blue Dream gear, filling local gathering spots like Jolene Jolene, the city's first bar dedicated to women's sports.

Despite the outcome, fans across the Atlanta area aren't giving up hope.

Local bars and restaurants hosted "All for Atlanta" watch parties across the city, bringing together a packed crowd of supporters in Dream gear who rode every high and low of the nail-biter.

"My blood pressure is up," fan Taylor Square admitted during the tense final minutes of the match.

Atlanta fought until the very end, keeping the game neck-and-neck before Golden State managed to hold on for the four-point victory.

"They played good, they played hard. We gave it everything we have—the entire time neck-and-neck, I loved to see that," Square and fellow fan Erin Mason said after the buzzer.

For supporters, the Finals appearance represents a major moment for both the franchise and women's sports as a whole.

"I just want people to finally give Angel Reese her props, finally give the Dream their props. Finally, we deserve to really be put on the map with sports," fan Ennive Hubbard said.

"It's a huge wave of excitement that lots of people have been waiting for," added fan Emma Giloth. "Everybody loves women's sports."

While the Game 1 loss stings, fans insist the championship series is far from over.

"Don't get too comfortable, Valkyries. Atlanta is coming back," Square and Mason warned.

Some fans are taking their dedication a step further. Sara Lee Parker is making the cross-country trip to support the team in person for the next matchup.

"I'll be in an Angel Reese red jersey," Parker said. "I've been to every Final we've ever had here. We're going to win this."

What's next:

Game 2 of the WNBA Finals tips off Monday, Oct. 19, at Chase Center in San Francisco. The series will then travel to Atlanta for Game 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Game 4 on Saturday, Oct. 24.

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