Heading into Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, the Golden State Valkyries had a chance to bring the title home, as they were leading the seven-game series 3-2 at that point. However, before the game, the debate surrounding the venue and the game’s tip-off time dominated the discussion, rather than the game itself. But it seems that Gabby Williams wasn’t too bothered with these specifics, as she already had plenty on her plate.

The Atlanta Dream and the league ultimately figured out a way to accommodate the game in the much bigger State Farm Arena, instead of the smaller Gateway Center Arena, but the last-minute logistics scramble meant an unusual afternoon tip-off time for the game. As the Valkyries lost that pivotal game, a section of fans and media blamed the revised timing as a potential reason for the Valkyries’ loss. However, in a recent interview, Gabby Williams has once again cleared the air around this issue.

When asked by Alex Sherman of CNBC about how the “bizarre” 12:30 afternoon time for Game 6 registered for Williams, she insisted that it wasn’t the center of their attention.

“I was worried about a lot of other things. Honestly, the time and the place didn’t matter too much by game six. I think our minds were kind of spiraling, but yeah, it was a tough it was a tough start, but we didn’t really mind it,” Williams said.

When asked whether the changed timing had an effect on their game, Williams denied it again.

“No, not at all. The only thing would have been like if we were to have won the ceremony; that would have been unfortunate, but a good thing we just did,” she added.

Willaim’s has a fair point, as while winning would be good, it would still cause an arena conflict. If the Valkyries had won Game 6, they would effectively have won the series. In that case, the celebratory ceremony would have to be conducted at State Farm Arena, where the Atlanta Hawks were scheduled to host the Cleveland Cavaliers in the late evening. Turning the arena around after a WNBA game takes time, and the celebrations would delay that even further, putting the following NBA game at risk.

The confusion began as the Dream had hosted all of its playoff games in the Hawks’ home, the State Farm Arena. The Dream’s own facility, Gateway Center, would be unable to host the number of fans who came to watch the coveted WNBA finals.

Also, for Williams and Co., losing Game 6 meant that they had a chance to lift the trophy in front of the “Balhalla.” But that situation came with its own caveats, and it wasn’t necessarily “better,” by Williams’ own admission.

“Not necessarily better, because I mean there’s so much stress and the unknown. Definitely mixed emotions, like, okay, was that our shot? Did we just lose it [Game 6]? But then also I try to stay positive and be like, okay, but how good is that going to feel if we do get it done? Maybe this is just meant to be and meant for us. So try to think of it that way,” Williams said.

Even after Game 6, Williams maintained that the revised logistics of the game had nothing to do with the game’s result.

“They played at the same time as us, right? So, there’s no excuse,” Williams said after Game 6.

Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard led Atlanta’s scoring, and Angel Reese anchored rebounding as the Dream outscored Golden State 32-15 in the first quarter. Overcoming an early 6-5 deficit, Atlanta utilized a 13-0 run and converted six of its first eight three-point attempts, aided by Jordin Canada. The 17-point opening margin stabilized Atlanta following offensive struggles in Games 4 and 5.

The Atlanta Dream were 16-0 throughout the season when Angel Reese hit a three-pointer. And she hit two in this game. So, not surprisingly, the Dream won this game as well.

However, the Valkyries came back with emphatic passion in Game 7. Gabby Williams scored 30 points, including Golden State’s final 11 points of the third quarter, as the Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. The victory secures a championship for Golden State in its second season.

Atlanta’s offense was anchored by Jordin Canada, who scored 18 points, and Allisha Gray, who added 16 points, supplemented by Angel Reese’s 12-rebound performance. The series result marked the Dream’s fourth unsuccessful WNBA Finals campaign.

After the game, Natalie Nakase, like everyone else on the Golden State bench, was full of praise for Gabby Williams.

“Gabby is our closer; she stayed patient, she stayed with it,” Nakase said. “Closing with 30!”

With most of their core squad still intact, fans will only hope that the Valkyries can mount more deep postseason runs in the coming years as well.

The post “Would Have Been Unfortunate”: Gabby Williams Reveals Thoughts Over One ‘Bizarre’ Reality That Surrounded WNBA Finals appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.