The Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA championship Saturday, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco.
The title came in the Valkyries’ second season in the league and capped a series that reached its deciding game after Atlanta forced a finale with an 80-69 victory Thursday. That result evened the series at three games apiece and sent both teams into a winner-take-all matchup.
Williams leads the deciding game
Gabby Williams powered Golden State in the championship game with 30 points, including 28 in the second half. Her performance earned her the Finals MVP award as the Valkyries closed out the franchise’s first championship.
Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton made the free throws that sealed the victory for Golden State. The Valkyries’ late execution secured the five-point finish after a series that required all seven games.
“It’s easy when the energy is this good and positive. I wouldn’t change a thing. All it took was good people. We have winners, we have people who are ready to put their bodies on the floor to win a game.” — Gabby Williams
Williams said the team’s approach extended beyond scoring. She credited the group’s defensive work and rebounding for helping establish the culture that carried Golden State through the Finals.
“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.” — Gabby Williams
Golden State responds after Game 6
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase took responsibility for Golden State’s slow start in Game 6, which Atlanta won to extend the series. Nakase said she questioned whether she had communicated the urgency the team needed before that game.
“I put that on me of like, what did I not say, what did I not get to my team of the sense of urgency that we knew they were going to play?” — Natalie Nakase
Golden State answered in the deciding game, holding off Atlanta at home and adding the championship to its second season in the WNBA. Williams’ scoring, the late free throws from Hayes and Burton and the team’s defensive identity defined the Valkyries’ 68-63 victory.
- Final: Golden State Valkyries 68, Atlanta Dream 63
- Finals MVP: Gabby Williams, 30 points in Game 7
- Series: Golden State won 4-3
