Gabby Williams Leads Golden State Valkyries to Historic First WNBA Championship in Thrilling Game 7 Victory

In a dramatic Game 7 of the WNBA Finals on October 31, 2026, the Golden State Valkyries clinched their first-ever WNBA championship, defeating the Atlanta Dream with a final score of 68-63. The victory marks a monumental achievement for the West Coast franchise in only its second year of existence.

Gabby Williams delivered a near-heroic performance, scoring 28 of her game-high 30 points in the second half to spearhead the Valkyries' comeback. Her exceptional play earned her the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. A pivotal moment came with 53 seconds left when Kiah Stokes converted a missed shot by Williams, igniting the home crowd at Chase Center, affectionately known as “Ballhalla.”

The championship game, the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, was largely a defensive battle. Williams proved to be the decisive factor, even securing a crucial jump ball over Atlanta's Allisha Gray with just 8.3 seconds remaining. Supported by notable fans like former San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds and NBA champion Draymond Green, Veronica Burton was fouled with 5.1 seconds left, sealing the win with free throws for the Valkyries.

Owner Joe Lacob, coach Natalie Nakase, and the star player Williams were central to the team's success, with the capacity crowd of 18,064 at Chase Center playing a significant role. Lacob lauded the sold-out crowd, which has consistently filled the arena, setting league attendance records.

Williams, the Valkyries' sole All-Star, overcame a quiet first half to make WNBA postseason history by scoring 28 points in a single half. She expressed gratitude to the fans and the Bay Area community for their unwavering support throughout the season, crediting their energy for her performance.

Playing nearly the entire game (38 of 40 minutes), Williams showcased her endurance, hitting a go-ahead three-pointer with 2:18 left and winning a key jump ball. Stokes's late basket off a Williams miss further electrified the crowd, extending the lead to 64-57.

Coach Nakase highlighted the team's remarkable journey, assembling players from the expansion draft, international talent, and a key free-agent signing to achieve the league's second-best regular-season record and a historic championship win. She dedicated the victory to the underrated and misunderstood.

The Valkyries rallied from a nine-point deficit in the third quarter. After Atlanta tied the game at 53-all, Williams re-energized the team with crucial free throws and a driving layup. Her 31-footer with 2:18 remaining gave Golden State the lead they would not relinquish.

Veronica Burton contributed significantly with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, emphasizing the team's resilience and belief in possibility. Williams' 30 points were her second-highest in a playoff game, and she set WNBA Finals records for most points (137) and most steals (18). She also contributed four of the team's eight blocks.

Kiah Stokes was instrumental defensively, holding Dream star Angel Reese to eight points and recording a game-high 13 rebounds, along with two blocks, setting a WNBA Finals record with 19 blocks for her fourth title. Tiffany Hayes added 11 points for the Valkyries.

For the Atlanta Dream, Jordin Canada scored 18 points and Allisha Gray added 16, but the team struggled with shooting efficiency, making only 33.3% of their field goals. Angel Reese, who led Atlanta with 12 rebounds, expressed disappointment but vowed the team would return.

Dream coach Karl Smesko pointed to critical early-game struggles, including a scoreless five-minute stretch at the beginning of the game, as a major factor in their defeat.