Williams scores 30 as Valkyries win first WNBA title in historic Game 7

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The Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA championship on Saturday night, beating the Atlanta Dream 68–63 at Chase Center in the league’s first deciding Finals Game 7.

Gabby Williams scored 30 points and was named Finals Most Valuable Player as Golden State secured the title in only their second season. She produced 28 of those points after half-time, a WNBA Finals record for scoring in a half.

Atlanta led 30–24 at the interval, with Williams having scored only two points. Her 15-point third quarter transformed the contest and put the Valkyries a point ahead going into the final period.

The teams remained close through the closing minutes. Williams answered a 57–57 tie with a three-pointer, then added two free throws as Golden State established a decisive advantage. Veronica Burton collected the ball after a late jump ball and made two free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining.

Jordin Canada finished with 18 points and five assists for Atlanta, while Allisha Gray contributed 16 points. Angel Reese added eight points and 12 rebounds as the Dream again fell short of their first championship.

Kiah Stokes supplied 13 rebounds and two blocks for the Valkyries. She ended the series with 19 blocks, extending the Finals record she had already broken earlier in the matchup.

Golden State won the best-of-seven series 4–3 after eliminating the Dallas Wings 2–1 in the opening round and sweeping defending champions Las Vegas 3–0 in the semi-finals.

The championship capped a rapid rise for coach Natalie Nakase’s side. The Valkyries had already become the first expansion team to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season in 2025, and returned a year later to win the title.