Gabby Williams has spent years earning recognition for her defense, versatility, and basketball intelligence. Now, the Golden State Valkyries forward is showing she can take over games offensively, too. Her performances in the 2026 WNBA playoffs have strengthened the case that she deserves a bigger place in the league’s spotlight.
Kelsey Plum, a five-time WNBA All-Star, believes Williams’ emergence should not surprise anyone who has followed her career closely. Speaking on the Girls Tripp podcast, Plum praised Williams’ abilities and explained how a change in responsibilities has allowed her to showcase more of her offensive game.
Plum sees a star who has waited for her opportunity
Plum believes Williams has possessed the tools to become a leading WNBA player for years. During her recent podcast appearance, she explained that Williams’ previous role with the Seattle Storm did not always give her the freedom to create shots and direct the offense.
Plum said Williams had been one of the world’s best players over the previous 4 or 5 years. Her comments reflected a belief that the forward’s recent rise represents a greater recognition of abilities she had already demonstrated elsewhere.
The praise carries weight because Plum understands what it takes to become a reliable offensive leader. Her experience as a championship-winning guard gives her a useful perspective on Williams’ development and the opportunities that can help talented players reach another level.
Williams delivered a statement performance in the Finals
Williams gave her supporters another reason to pay attention during Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals. She scored 26 points to lead the Valkyries past the Atlanta Dream, 68-64, helping Golden State secure its first Finals victory in franchise history.
Her performance became particularly important during the closing minutes. Williams converted 2 free throws with 1:18 remaining to put Golden State ahead, then made 2 more with 4.1 seconds left to help secure the victory.
The forward also scored 16 points in the second quarter, keeping the Valkyries competitive while the rest of the offense struggled. Golden State made just 32.1% of its field-goal attempts, and no other Valkyries player reached double figures.
Golden State has given Williams greater offensive freedom
Williams’ move to Golden State has created a different opportunity for her career. The Valkyries signed her to a multiyear contract in April after she spent the previous 4 seasons with Seattle, adding an experienced two-way player to their developing roster.
Under coach Natalie Nakase, Williams has received more responsibility to create offense rather than concentrate primarily on defense. Plum specifically highlighted the freedom to attack from the top of the key as an important difference in how Williams can influence games.
That freedom does not eliminate the defensive responsibilities that have made Williams valuable. Instead, it allows her to combine perimeter defense, passing, decision-making and scoring in a more complete role that can help Golden State compete against experienced postseason opponents.
Williams’ defensive reputation remains a major strength
Williams entered the 2026 season with an established reputation as one of the WNBA’s most effective defenders. In 2025, she averaged 2.3 steals per game for Seattle, leading the league, and earned a place on the All-Defensive First Team.
She also earned her first All-Star selection in 2025 after recording career highs of 11.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. Those numbers showed that her contributions extended beyond disrupting opponents and creating defensive pressure.
Her defensive instincts remain particularly useful when games become tight. Williams can challenge ball handlers, disrupt passing lanes and help create transition opportunities, giving the Valkyries a player capable of influencing a contest even when her jump shot is not falling.
Williams helped lead an impressive playoff run
Golden State’s postseason success has given Williams a larger platform to demonstrate her abilities. The Valkyries swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, earning their first WNBA Finals appearance in only their second season as a franchise.
Williams played a central role in that series. She scored 25 points, collected 11 rebounds and recorded 5 assists in Game 1 against Las Vegas, showing that she could contribute across several statistical categories while handling increased offensive responsibility.
Her performance against the Aces also highlighted her ability to attack different defensive matchups. Williams can score from the perimeter, finish inside and facilitate for teammates, making her a difficult player to limit when Golden State’s offense creates space for her to operate.
The Finals have also shown the limits of her breakout
Williams’ recent performances have strengthened her reputation, but the Finals have also illustrated the challenges of carrying a larger offensive workload. In Game 2 against Atlanta, she scored 14 points on 3-for-15 shooting as the Dream defeated Golden State, 79-65, to tie the series at 1-1.
Atlanta’s defensive pressure limited the Valkyries’ scoring options and contributed to a difficult night for the team. Williams remained involved, but her shooting struggles showed how quickly opponents can adjust when one player becomes the primary offensive threat.
That challenge does not erase her earlier achievements. Instead, it provides a useful test of whether Williams and the Valkyries can adapt when opponents focus their defensive plans on stopping her, particularly during the decisive stages of a championship series.
Williams brings experience beyond the WNBA
Williams’ basketball background extends well beyond her professional career in the United States. She played college basketball at Connecticut, where she won NCAA championships in 2015 and 2016, and was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2018 WNBA Draft.
She has also represented France internationally, winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics and a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Those experiences exposed her to different styles of competition and helped develop the versatility that defines her game.
Her international experience has also helped Williams develop the ability to adjust to different teammates, coaching styles and tactical systems. That adaptability is valuable in the WNBA, where defensive versatility and smart decision-making can separate dependable starters from players who consistently influence winning.
Plum’s prediction could signal a new chapter for Williams
Plum’s praise highlights a broader point about Williams’ career: a player’s role can influence how the public evaluates her abilities. Williams was already an accomplished defender before joining Golden State, but her expanded offensive responsibilities have made her contributions more visible.
The next challenge is maintaining that production against increasingly prepared defenses. Williams must continue making sound decisions, creating opportunities for teammates and contributing defensively while handling the attention that comes with being a leading scorer.
If she sustains that balance, Williams could become one of the WNBA’s most recognizable two-way stars. Plum’s comments are not a guarantee of future superstardom, but Williams’ playoff performances have provided compelling evidence that her offensive ceiling may be higher than previously appreciated.
Fun fact: Williams was part of Connecticut’s back-to-back NCAA championship teams in 2015 and 2016. She later became a WNBA All-Star and an Olympic medalist with France, building an impressive résumé across college, professional and international basketball.
TL;DR
- Kelsey Plum believes Gabby Williams has long possessed the talent to become a major WNBA star.
- Williams scored 26 points to lead Golden State to a 68-64 victory over Atlanta in Game 1 of the 2026 WNBA Finals.
- Her expanded offensive role with the Valkyries has allowed her to showcase more scoring and playmaking ability.
- Williams earned All-Star and All-Defensive First Team honors in 2025 after a career-best regular season with Seattle.
- Her next challenge is sustaining her offensive production while helping Golden State pursue its first WNBA championship.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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