The Golden State Valkyries etched their names into WNBA history on Saturday, claiming the franchise’s first championship with a decisive 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream. In a winner-take-all Game 7 that marked the longest title matchup in league history, the second-year expansion team secured a 4-3 series win, silencing skeptics and establishing themselves as immediate contenders in the league’s new era. The win was sealed in the dying minutes when Golden State pulled ahead for good, securing the crown in a tense, low-scoring affair that tested the resilience of both rosters.
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Gabby Williams was the undisputed engine behind the title run, earning the WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player award after a performance defined by late-game dominance. Despite a quiet first half where she managed only two points, Williams erupted for a Finals one-half record 28 points in the second period, totaling 30 for the game. Her ability to seize command when the stakes were highest allowed Golden State to maintain their lead in the final possessions, proving that patience and timing were critical to their strategic execution.
“I wasn’t going to lose on Halloween,” Williams stated post-game, reflecting on the electric atmosphere that fueled her performance. Head Coach Natalie Nakase credited the team’s selfless culture for the victory, noting that players prioritized defense and rebounding over individual scoring to execute the game plan. “We have people who are ready to put their bodies on the floor to win a game,” Nakase said. “They don’t care about scoring. They just want to do defense and rebounding. Do whatever it takes and we built a beautiful culture here.”
Source: Yahoo Sports
