Golden State Valkyries: Expansion team wins WNBA title in second year
Gabby Williams scored 30 points as the Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a decisive Game 7.
By Giulia Marshall ·
The Golden State Valkyries entered the league as an expansion team only two years ago, yet they finished their second season as WNBA champions. The squad defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the Finals on Saturday night at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Gabby Williams anchored the offense with 30 points. She scored the final 11 points for Golden State in the third quarter and maintained that scoring threat through the fourth. Jordin Canada added 18 points, while Allisha Gray contributed 16. Angel Reese recorded eight points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta, which fell short in its fourth attempt at a title.
The game remained tight through the closing minutes. Rhyne Howard tied the score at 57 with 2 minutes and 41 seconds remaining. Williams responded with a three-pointer. She later made two free throws with 1 minute and 40 seconds left. Kiah Stokes added a late basket, securing 13 rebounds and two blocks in a strong postseason performance.
Atlanta attempted to close the gap in the final seconds. Gray hit two free throws with 11 seconds remaining. The Dream forced a jump ball between Gray and Williams. Veronica Burton secured the rebound and converted two free throws with 5.1 seconds to play.
"I'm just so blessed, this is insane!" Burton said. She was cut by the Dallas team two years prior to joining the Dream.
Nakase, the Valkyries coach, adjusted the starting lineup after the team fell behind 2-1 in the series. She inserted Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes while moving Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini to the bench. Hayes, 37, returned from retirement two years ago and played 10 seasons for the Dream. She scored 11 points in the clinching victory.
Williams joined Golden State from Seattle, citing the team's close-knit culture as a key factor. She returned to the Bay Area, where she played youth basketball, to build a competitive roster. Fans in the violet-clad crowd chanted her name throughout the fourth quarter.
"All it took was good people," Williams said. "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."
The victory fulfills a promise made by owner Joe Lacob three years ago. He guaranteed a championship within the franchise's first five years when the Bay Area received an expansion slot. The team became the first expansion organization to reach the playoffs in its inaugural 2025 season. Co-owner Peter Guber said, "We gotta build a bigger trophy case."
Lacob thanked the fans who sold out Chase Center for every game since the team's debut. He hollered "Ballhalla!" during the victory ceremony. The arena had transformed the traditional cheer into "Boohalla" for the Halloween night event. Players sprinted onto the floor to celebrate as confetti fell from the rafters.
