The Golden State Valkyries captured their first WNBA championship on Saturday night, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a historic Game 7 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The victory culminated a hard-fought series and marked a remarkable achievement for the Valkyries, a franchise in only its second season.
Gabby Williams was named the Finals MVP after a dominant second-half performance, scoring 28 points in the final two quarters and finishing with 30 points overall. Despite a slow start with just two points in the first half, Williams's scoring surge was pivotal in leading the Valkyries to victory. Teammates noted her determination at halftime, with point guard Veronica Burton describing how Williams was ready to take over the game and the team adjusted to get her the ball more often. Coach Natalie Nakase encouraged Williams to remain patient, advice that proved instrumental as the game’s flow shifted in Golden State’s favor.
The finals marked the first time the WNBA championship series extended to a full seven games since the league expanded the format last year. The Valkyries entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed with a 32-12 regular-season record and maintained home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Their path to the title included a comeback from a 2-1 deficit in the finals and overcoming significant challenges in earlier rounds, including rallies from Dallas and the defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
The series itself was tightly contested. Golden State took Games 1, 4, and 5, while Atlanta won Games 2, 3, and 6. Saturday’s Game 7 featured a tense back-and-forth battle. The Valkyries jumped out to an early lead, fueled by a strong defensive effort that included five blocks before the Dream even scored. However, Atlanta responded with runs of their own, keeping the game close throughout. Williams’s clutch shooting in the third quarter helped Golden State take a narrow lead entering the final period.
In the closing minutes, Williams hit a contested three-pointer to put Golden State up 60-57 with just over two minutes remaining. Despite the Dream’s efforts, they were unable to regain the lead. Allisha Gray tied the score earlier in the fourth quarter, but the Valkyries pulled ahead again and managed to hold on for the win.
Other key contributors for Golden State included Tiffany Hayes, who scored 11 points and earned her first championship at age 37, and Veronica Burton, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Dream’s top scorers included Jordin Canada with 18 points and Gray with 16, while Angel Reese was limited to eight points and 12 rebounds.
The championship was hailed by Valkyries owner Joe Lacob as the result of strong decisions, solid execution, and leadership from the coaching staff. The achievement is viewed as notably rapid for an expansion team, underscoring the franchise’s swift rise in the league. As celebrations continued, the Valkyries marked a significant milestone in their young history, signaling a promising future for the team.