Valkyries End Drought: Golden State Claims WNBA Title

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 on Saturday night to claim the WNBA championship. The win ended a tense Game 7 and delivered the team its first title in just its second season of existence.

Gabby Williams carried the offense for Golden State with 30 points. She scored the final 11 points of the third quarter and remained effective in the fourth. Jordin Canada contributed 18 points, while Allisha Gray added 16. For the Dream, Angel Reese recorded eight points and 12 rebounds. The loss marked the franchise's fourth attempt at a championship.

The final seconds were defined by free throws. With 11 seconds remaining, Gray hit two free throws. Atlanta then forced a jump ball between Gray and Williams. Veronica Burton secured the ball and converted two free throws with 5.1 seconds left to seal the victory. Burton, who was cut by Dallas two years ago, said she was blessed by the outcome.

Rhyne Howard tied the game at 57 points with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter. Williams answered with a three-pointer. She later made two free throws with 1:40 remaining. Kiah Stokes scored a late basket to help close out the game. Stokes finished with 13 rebounds and two blocked shots, capping a strong postseason run.

Williams joined the Valkyries from Seattle and cited the team's culture as a key factor. Fans in the arena chanted her name throughout the fourth quarter. Williams noted that critics previously questioned the team's talent, but she credited the group for its willingness to play hard and win.

The team played in a sellout crowd at Chase Center. The venue had been sold out for every game since the franchise began. The atmosphere shifted from a Halloween theme to a celebration as confetti fell. The franchise now joins the Golden State Warriors in holding a major sports title.

Co-owner Peter Guber said the team needs to build a larger trophy case. The Valkyries had led at halftime in the previous six games of the series but lost those contests. The Dream were ahead 30-24 at the half on Saturday. Coach Natalie Nakase changed the starting lineup after Golden State fell behind 2-1 in the series. That move inserted Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes into the starting five.

Hayes, a 37-year-old veteran who returned from retirement two years ago, scored 11 points in the final game. She had previously spent 10 seasons with the Dream. Owner Joe Lacob had promised a championship within five years of the team's founding. The franchise achieved that goal in its second year after reaching the playoffs in its inaugural 2025 season.