The Golden State Valkyries captured their first WNBA championship in just their second season by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 at the Chase Center on Saturday night.
Williams Dominates Second Half to Seal MVP Honors
Gabby Williams scored 30 points, including the final 11 points of the third quarter, to lead the Valkyries to victory. Williams joined Golden State, drawn to the franchise’s close-knit culture. Head coach Natalie Nakase told Williams at halftime to stay patient, advising her that the game would come to her. Fans throughout the fourth quarter chanted her name as she secured the Finals MVP award. Williams, who scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half, said, All it took was good people. All we heard last year was we don’t have no stars. We don’t have no talent. Yeah right! We got good people. We got good people. We got winners. We got people who are ready to put their bodies on the floor to win a game.
Nakase praised her performance, stating, Gabby is our closer she stayed patient, she stayed with it. Closing with 30!
Williams finished the season averaging a career-best 14.4 points while shooting 34.2% from 3. She also earned WNBA All-Defensive first-team honors and placed second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Previously, the Seattle Storm had cored Williams, guaranteeing the team exclusive negotiating rights with the French national before she joined Golden State.
Reese Sets Rebounding Record as Dream Fall Short
Angel Reese recorded eight points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta, finishing her postseason run with a record 90 rebounds in the WNBA Finals. The Dream held a 30-24 halftime lead, and history favored them entering the break as no team leading at halftime had lost in the first six games of the series. Furthermore, Atlanta entered the matchup with a 16-0 record this season when Reese made at least a single 3-pointer. Reese made one early in the second quarter but went silent offensively thereafter, scoring only three points in the final 29 minutes.
I’m really proud of the year I had,
Reese said. Done a lot of great things this year and wouldn’t have been able to do it without this group.
Not a lot of people have this opportunity to do it.
I’d do it all over again with this group.
Regarding the loss, she pledged, We’ll be back.
Record-Breaking Expansion Turnaround at Chase Center
Owner Joe Lacob guaranteed a championship within five years when the expansion franchise was granted to the Bay Area three years ago. Instead, the Valkyries achieved the title in Year 2, setting a new record for the fastest expansion team to win a championship in major North American professional sports since 1967. The previous mark belonged to the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks, who won an NBA title in their third season. Nakase’s journey began almost exactly two years ago when she interviewed for the head coaching position with Lacob, where she slammed her fists on the table and declared, Hell yeah, we’re gonna win a championship.
When the final buzzer sounded on Halloween night, a sellout crowd of violet-clad fans celebrated as confetti fell from the rafters. The arena atmosphere prompted co-owner Peter Guber to remark that the franchise needs to build a bigger trophy case.
The final moments were tense: Allisha Gray made two free throws with 11 seconds left, but after a jump ball between Gray and Williams, Veronica Burton corralled the ball and converted two free throws with 5.1 seconds to go. I’m just so blessed, this is insane!
said Burton, who had been cut by Dallas two years prior. The Valkyries’ path to the title included using their 2025 draft pick on 19-year-old Lithuanian Juste Jocyte, who remained overseas.
Frequently Asked Questions About the WNBA Finals
How fast did the Golden State Valkyries win a WNBA title?
The Valkyries won their first championship in just their second season of existence, playing their inaugural year in 2025 and claiming the title in 2026.
What records were set during the 2026 WNBA Finals?
Angel Reese set a record with 90 rebounds in the WNBA Finals. Additionally, the Valkyries became the fastest expansion team in major North American professional sports to win a title since 1967.
Who led the scoring in Game 7?
Gabby Williams led all scorers with 30 points for the Valkyries, while Jordin Canada added 18 points and Allisha Gray added 16 for the Atlanta Dream.
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