Golden State Valkyries Win First WNBA Championship in Historic Game 7
Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA championship by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7. Finals MVP Gabby Williams scored 30 points to secure the historic title.
Golden State Valkyries captured their first-ever WNBA championship, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a historic Game 7 to seal a 4-3 series victory. Gabby Williams starred with 30 points, leading her team to the milestone title in the first Game 7 ever played in league finals history.
Williams, named WNBA Finals MVP, delivered a stellar second half after managing just two points in the opening two quarters. She became the first player in WNBA playoff history to score 28 points in a single half, capping her performance with a clutch three-pointer from roughly 9.5 meters out with 2:18 remaining to give the Valkyries a decisive edge.
The drama peaked in the final quarter as Golden State overturned a nine-point deficit from the third period to level the score at 53-53. Williams took charge once again, sinking two free throws and a driving layup before hitting the decisive triple to put the Valkyries ahead 60-57. Kia Stokes then extended the lead with a crucial putback with 53 seconds left, and Golden State held firm until the final buzzer to trigger historic celebrations.
Veronica Burton contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Kia Stokes added 13 rebounds and Tiffany Hayes scored 11 points. Stokes also set a finals record with 19 blocks across the series. Atlanta, shooting just 33.3% from the field, was led by Jordin Canada with 18 points and Allisha Gray with 16, alongside Angel Reese who added eight points and 12 rebounds.
Founded just last season, the expansion Valkyries completed a remarkable journey. Built from unprotected expansion draft picks, international players, and a key summer signing, they finished second in the regular season before claiming the ultimate prize in front of a capacity crowd of 18,064 fans.
