Izzy Borlase's hopes of helping the Atlanta Dream win their first WNBA championship have gotten off to a rocky start as they went down to the Golden State Valkyries 68-64.
In a stirring first game of the best-of-seven series at San Francisco’s Chase Centre on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), the Valkyries kept their composure and relied on their typically rigid defence to secure the franchise's first Finals win.
Borlase wasn't too influential for Atlanta but had moments of brilliance in her stints off the bench as she registered four points, two rebounds, one assist and a block.
One of the Opal's best moments came just moments after the 22-year-old entered the contest when she produced an imposing block to deny Kiah Stokes before providing a spearing ball to set up superstar Angel Reese later in the opening quarter.
Her teammate, guard Allisha Gray was busy in her return from a hand injury (19 points, six rebounds) while Reese had a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards.
Another Australian, Miela Sowah, was kept on the bench by Golden State's coach Natalie Nakase, extending the sharpshooter's wait for a playoffs appearance.
But the Valkyries' Gabby Williams was prolific, scoring 26 points, while former Bendigo Spirit point guard Veronica Burton had five points, four rebounds and two blocks as the franchise looks to win the title in just their second season.
"It feels like we're not done yet," Williams told NBC.
"We always know we're going to find a way somehow. There was a lid on that basket tonight, but that's why we rely on our defence."
Golden State will hope guard Tiffany Hayes recovers quickly, though, after her face slammed into the court in the fourth quarter and she was sent to the locker room.
In a tense opening period watched on by Boomer Alex Toohey, the Valkyries fired up the raucous home ground when they went on a gritty 9-0 run.
But Atlanta replied with their own 11-0 spurt to lead by eight points at the first break.
Williams found another gear in the second period, scoring a mammoth 16 points to thrust Golden State to a 42-39 lead at halftime.
In a back-and-forth third period, the Dream produced an 11-2 spree to start, which included a Borlase fadeaway jump shot, but the Valkyries refused to give up and trailed 56-51 by the final break.
Atalanta were denied any breathing room by a spirited Golden State defence, and with 23 seconds remaining, the home team had a mere two-point advantage.
But Gray's shot from outside the semi-circle fell short, and Williams sank a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
