The Golden State Valkyries win first WNBA championship in Game 7, beating the Atlanta Dream 68 to 63 on Saturday, October 31, at Chase Center in San Francisco. The win gives Golden State the first championship in franchise history in only the second season of the team's existence, and it makes the Valkyries the fastest expansion team among the major North American sports leagues to win a title.
Gabby Williams delivered the performance of her life when it mattered most. Williams scored 30 points on 10 of 23 shooting and was named Finals MVP. She scored only two points in the first half, then poured in 28 points in the second half, a WNBA Finals record for points in a half. Williams scored 15 points in the third quarter alone as Golden State erased a halftime deficit and took control of the game.
Atlanta looked ready to finish the story early. The Dream led by six points at halftime and by as many as nine points in the game, with Jordin Canada scoring 18 points and Allisha Gray adding 16 points. Golden State opened the game with an 8 to 0 run, but Atlanta answered and carried the lead into the break. Then Williams caught fire, Golden State closed the third quarter on a 17 to 3 run, and the building known as Ballhalla came alive as the Valkyries took a lead they would not give back.
Tiffany Hayes added 11 points for Golden State, Veronica Burton finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Kiah Stokes added eight points and 13 rebounds. Angel Reese finished with eight points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta. The Dream had forced this deciding game with an 80 to 69 win in Game 6 on Thursday, October 29, and they fought to the final minute, but the Valkyries closed the game at the free throw line to seal the championship.
This series made history before the final buzzer. It was the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, after the league moved to a best of seven championship series in 2025. Golden State also became the first team in the 30 year history of the league to win a title without an All WNBA player on the roster. For a second year franchise, for a fan base that packed Chase Center all season, and for a team that refused to fold when the Dream took the lead, the first banner is real. The Valkyries are champions.
