In a historic finish to their second season, the Golden State Valkyries captured their first-ever WNBA championship by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the league’s inaugural Game 7 of a final series. The decisive match at the Chase Center in San Francisco was defined by a stellar, near-singular performance from Finals MVP Gabby Williams. Williams scored 28 of her game-high 30 points in the second half to force a turnaround and bag the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in San Francisco, California, on Saturday. With the likes of former San Francisco Giants superstar Barry Bonds and multiple NBA title-winner Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors rooting her on, Veronica Burton was fouled with 5.1 seconds remaining and produced the final points in the Valkyries’ storybook season. Topped only by the 36 she had in game two of Golden State’s first-round series win over the Dallas Wings on September 30, williams’s 30 points were her second-most in a playoff game.
Williams, who was signed as a free agent during the offseason, struggled initially with only two points in the first half. “This is for all the people out there who are underrated, misunderstood.
However, she roared back to score 28 points in the second half, marking the first time in WNBA postseason history a player has achieved such a scoring feat in a single half.
She finished the contest with a game-high 30 points, while also setting new WNBA Finals records with 137 total points and 18 steals throughout the series.
The defensive intensity remained high until the final seconds. With just over two minutes remaining, Williams drained a decisive 31-foot shot to secure a 60-57 lead. The atmosphere at the venue, known affectionately by fans as “Ballhalla,” reached a fever pitch late in the game when Kiah Stokes converted a missed attempt by Williams into a crucial basket with 53 seconds on the clock, extending the lead to 64-57. Playing 38 of the game’s 40 minutes, Williams saved enough energy to do a Stephen Curry impersonation on a go-ahead three-pointer with two minutes and 18 seconds (2:18) to go and later win a key jump ball, and Kiah Stokes converted a rare Williams late miss into a key hoop with 53 seconds left, sending the violet-clad crowd into a frenzy.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase praised the team’s resilience, noting the challenge of building a cohesive roster from expansion draft picks, international talents, and free agents.
The team’s ability to rally from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter proved pivotal. Veronica Burton, who contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, remarked that the team refused to accept external limitations throughout their historic campaign. The Valkyries were tied at 53-all midway through the fourth after Gray connected on a short jumper for Atlanta with 5:14 to play, rallying from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter. “We didn’t let anyone put a limit on us all year,” demanded Burton, who backed Williams with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. “When you work hard, and you put your head down and drive, anything’s possible.”. She made 10 of her 23 field-goal attempts on Saturday when neither team shot well.
For Atlanta, the outcome was defined by a difficult start. Head coach Karl Smesko lamented a scoreless opening 5:19 where the Dream missed eight consecutive shots and committed four turnovers. Despite Jordin Canada’s 18 points and Allisha Gray’s 16, Atlanta struggled with shooting efficiency, hitting just 33.3 percent from the field and 6-of-30 from beyond the arc. Angel Reese led the Dream with 12 rebounds but was limited to eight points. Besides holding Dream star Angel Reese to eight points, Stokes had a game-high 13 rebounds for the Valkyries, who won despite making just five of their 20 three-point shots.
The victory drew a sold-out crowd of 18,064, including prominent figures such as NBA champion Draymond Green and former MLB star Barry Bonds. The Valkyries maintained their record of selling out every home game in their brief history. Team owner Joe Lacob celebrated the historic milestone with the fans during the post-game trophy presentation.
Stokes was a major defensive presence, recording a game-high 13 rebounds and two blocks. Her contribution brought her total to a record-setting 19 blocks for the WNBA Finals, earning her a fourth career title. Tiffany Hayes added 11 points to the winning effort, while Williams cemented her legacy by winning a critical jump ball against Allisha Gray with only 8.3 seconds left on the clock. She hit two free throws with 3:34 to go and a driving hoop 32 seconds later as the teams exchanged baskets.
Reflecting on the achievement, Williams expressed deep gratitude for the support from the San Francisco Bay Area community, noting how the local energy fueled her performance during the grueling season. For the Dream, the defeat was a bitter ending to a competitive series. Reese expressed optimism for the future, stating that while the immediate loss was difficult, the team would return stronger. “Honestly, everyone here, not just the players and the staff. [Also] the community, the city, the [San Francisco] Bay [Area],” she gushed on court shortly after having been named the MVP. It’s a long season and y’all gave me energy. “When the energy is this good and positive, it’s easy to come to work every day. Williams, after spearheading an earlier rally, came alive again.
Nakase dedicated the championship to those who feel underestimated. She emphasized that the victory stands as proof that heart and dedication can overcome the odds, even for a franchise in just its second year of existence. The victory marks a significant turning point for the Golden State sports landscape. This is for all y’all,” she insisted from midcourt to her home fans and a national television audience as well. “This is proof: If you put all your heart and all your soul [into it], you can win championships.”.
