The Golden State Valkyries captured the W.N.B.A. championship in just their second season, marking the fastest title win ever by an expansion team in a major North American men’s or women’s professional league. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco, clinching the first Game 7 in W.N.B.A. history.
Dominating the second half, guard Gabby Williams led Golden State with 30 points, including a record-breaking 28 points in a single postseason half. Williams, who had a slow start with only two points in the first half, made a pivotal impact with clutch shooting and solid defensive plays, finishing with four blocks. Her performance earned her the finals Most Valuable Player award.
The Valkyries overcame early skepticism, as the team entered the finals without an All-Star, a first for a W.N.B.A. champion. Despite limited star power, the team emphasized cohesion and resilience. Coach Natalie Nakase credited their success to the players’ mutual commitment and trust, while Williams highlighted the importance of having “good people” who share a winning mentality.
Ownership played a significant role in setting the team’s ambitious goals. Joe Lacob, billionaire owner of both the Valkyries and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, launched the franchise in October 2023 with a bold pledge to secure a championship within five years. That promise was fulfilled markedly earlier than expected, prompting Lacob to praise the front office and coaching staff—Nakase, General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, and Team President Jess Smith—for their effective leadership and decision-making.
“Two years — it’s insane,” Lacob remarked after the win, underscoring that the victory was not a result of mere luck but of sound strategy and execution. Smith emphasized the organization’s intention to build a unique identity separate from the Warriors, despite sharing the same arena and training facilities.
The championship series showcased a defensive battle, with both teams firing below typical scoring marks. The Dream held a nine-point lead in the third quarter, but the Valkyries rallied behind Veronica Burton’s isolation scoring and, ultimately, Williams’ electric shooting to seize control in the final minutes. Atlanta guard Jordin Canada led her team with 18 points, but the Dream struggled offensively in crucial moments.
Atlanta’s Angel Reese, who scored only eight points in the Game 7 loss, expressed determination that the Dream would contend again. “Delayed, not denied,” Reese said, reflecting on her team’s relatively early stage of development in only their third year.
The Valkyries’ rapid rise may set a new precedent for expansion franchises in professional women’s basketball. As other new teams—in Portland, Toronto, Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia—prepare to enter the league over the next decade, Golden State’s success highlights both the potential and challenges ahead.
With strong organizational backing and a focus on team chemistry, the Valkyries appear poised to remain contenders in the evolving landscape of the W.N.B.A. “We think there’s more to come,” Lacob said after the championship, signaling ambitions for continued excellence.