Golden State Valkyries Clinch WNBA Title in Thrilling Game 7 Against Atlanta Dream
Golden State captured a WNBA championship in its second year of existence by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a tense Game 7 at the Chase Center. The decisive victory on November 1 ended a grueling series that saw the franchise rebound from an early 2-1 deficit. Gabby Williams fueled the comeback with a performance, scoring 28 of her points in the second half to earn MVP honors.
For Cecilia Zandalasini, the victory marks her second career WNBA title. The 30-year-old from Broni previously won a championship in 2017 with the Minnesota Lynx, making her one of a select few players to win titles with two different franchises.
Two years. One for the ages. 🏆The final seconds of Game 7. pic.twitter.com/0b7gTqkZrs
Defensive Lockdown Slows High-Powered Atlanta Offense
Golden State built its championship run on defense. After entering the series as the third-best offense in the regular season averaging 91.3 points per game, Atlanta was held to just 71.4 points across the seven games. Four of the Dream’s five lowest-scoring performances of the year occurred during these Finals.
The defensive grind showed in a game, when Atlanta forced a final showdown with an 80-69 victory powered by Angel Reese and Rhyne Howard. In that contest, Golden State struggled offensively while Atlanta utilized physical defense from Naz Hillmon to build a commanding first-half lead. However, the tables turned in Game 7 as the Valkyries clamped down when it mattered most.
GOLDEN STATE. GOLD STANDARD.Your 2026 @WNBA Champions, the Golden State Valkyries. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/EMfe2SFGC4
Gabby Williams and Cecilia Zandalasini Lead the Charge
Williams delivered an offensive explosion, setting a WNBA postseason record for points in a single half with 28 points in the final 20 minutes. Her deep three-pointer with under three minutes remaining broke a 57-57 tie, and Veronica Burton sealed the win from the free-throw line.
Zandalasini provided stability throughout the postseason. Unlike her limited minutes during the 2017 Minnesota title run, Zandalasini averaged 8.5 points and played 19 minutes a contest across the seven Finals games.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Cecilia Zandalasini win her first WNBA title?
Zandalasini won her first championship in 2017 with the Minnesota Lynx when she was 21 years old.
How many points did Gabby Williams score in Game 7?
Gabby Williams scored 30 points, including 28 in the second half.
What was Atlanta’s offensive average during the regular season compared to the Finals?
Atlanta averaged 91.3 points per game during the regular season before being held to an average of 71.4 points per game across the seven Finals matchups.
Where can viewers watch a replay of Game 7?
A replay of the decisive Game 7 was scheduled for November 1 on Sky Sport Basket with commentary from Davide Fumagalli and Chicca Macchi.
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