SAN FRANCISCO: The Golden State Valkyries captured their first Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) championship on Saturday, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a decisive Game 7 showdown.
Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 30 points, delivering a remarkable second-half performance to secure the title for the second-year expansion franchise. Her 28 points after halftime set a WNBA Finals record for points scored in a single half.
The Valkyries won the best-of-seven series 4-3, completing a historic championship run in front of a sellout crowd of more than 18,000 at Chase Center.
Williams Delivers Under Pressure
Williams scored just 2 points in the first half but took control after the break, producing the decisive plays as the game reached its closing minutes.
She made a three-pointer with 2 minutes and 19 seconds remaining to give Golden State a 60-57 lead. After Atlanta’s Allisha Gray missed a layup, Williams converted two free throws to extend the advantage to five points.
Kiah Stokes then scored on a putback following a Williams miss, pushing the Valkyries ahead 64-57. Late free throws from Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton helped secure the victory.
Williams was subsequently named WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player in recognition of her outstanding performance.
“I wasn’t going to lose on Halloween,” Williams said, reflecting on the championship triumph.
She credited head coach Natalie Nakase for encouraging her to remain patient after a difficult first half.
Valkyries Rally to Take Control
Golden State started strongly, racing to an 8-0 lead as Atlanta missed its first nine attempts from the field.
The Dream recovered with a 21-6 run to take control of the contest. They carried that momentum into the second quarter, opening it with a 9-0 burst and establishing a 30-24 halftime advantage.
However, the Valkyries responded after the break. Williams scored 15 points in the third quarter as Golden State finished the period with a 17-7 run, taking a narrow 45-44 lead into the final quarter.
The teams remained locked in a tense contest before Williams and her teammates made the crucial plays down the stretch.
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Coach Praises Team Culture
Nakase praised her players for their determination and commitment, saying the championship represented the rewards of putting heart and effort into the game.
“This is for all the people that have been underrated, misunderstood,” she said. “This is proof that if you put in all your heart and all your soul you can … win championships.”
Williams also praised the team’s collective spirit, highlighting its defensive commitment, rebounding and willingness to sacrifice individual scoring for the greater good.
She said the players had built a strong culture based on teamwork and determination.
Dream Fall Short Again
The championship defeat marked another disappointment for Atlanta, which suffered its fourth Finals loss in the franchise’s 18-year history.
Golden State’s victory was celebrated by the home crowd at Chase Center, while team owner Joe Lacob congratulated the players on their achievement.
For the Valkyries, the championship capped a remarkable rise for an expansion team in only its second season, establishing the franchise as WNBA champions.
