The Golden State Valkyries captured the Women’s NBA title in their second year of operation, securing a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in a decisive seventh game. This marked the first Game Seven in WNBA Finals history.
Gabby Williams delivered a dominant performance for the Valkyries, recording 30 points and earning the WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. Williams was particularly impactful in the second half, scoring 28 of her 30 points after intermission. She hit a crucial three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining that extended the Valkyries’ lead to 60-57. The Dream narrowed the gap with free throws from Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton, but the Valkyries closed out the contest.
Following the Dream’s victory in Game Six that leveled the series, Williams addressed the team’s collective effort and culture. She emphasized the importance of defensive intensity and rebounding contributions from all players, noting that the team’s focus extended beyond individual scoring. Williams credited the roster composition and team cohesion as key factors in the championship run.
The championship came before a capacity crowd exceeding 18,000 spectators at San Francisco’s Chase Center. The Valkyries, established in 2024, became one of the WNBA’s newest franchises to win a title in such quick succession. For the Dream, the loss marked their fourth Finals defeat in their 18-year history.
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