Gabby Williams Leads Golden State Valkyries to First WNBA Title

The Golden State Valkyries captured their first WNBA championship in franchise history on Saturday night, defeating Atlanta 68-63 in a tense Game 7 at San Francisco. Led by captain and Finals MVP Gabby Williams, who scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half, the Valkyries secured the title in just their second year in the league.

San Francisco Electric Atmosphere Sets Stage for Game 7

Playing before a crowd of more than 18,000 roaring fans in San Francisco, the Valkyries overcame a sluggish start and a resilient Atlanta squad. The decisive contest lived up to its billing as both teams traded momentum throughout the night. There was an electric ambiance inside the arena as the home side fought through a tight, physical battle to claim the league crown.

Gabby Williams Delivers Record-Breaking Second Half

Gabby Williams turned the game decisively in the second half, pouring in 28 points after intermission to set a record for points in a half during a WNBA final. Her explosive run included three consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter and a clutch basket from beyond the arc at the 2:19 mark to push Golden State ahead 60-57. J’adore les moments comme ça ! Nat m’a dit d’être patiente dans la première mi-temps, c’était dur, mais je l’ai fait et ça a payé ! Williams told reporters after collecting her championship cap, referencing head coach Natalie Nakase.

Atlanta Fall Short in Hard-Fought Finals

Atlanta pushed the series the distance after a hard-fought postseason battle. Atlanta bounced back from an early 8-0 deficit with a 21-6 run to seize control before Williams took over the game’s final phase. Following the loss, Atlanta star Angel Reese spoke with reporters, visibly emotional: Là, tout de suite, c’est vraiment très dur. Mais on sera de retour. The defeat marks Atlanta’s fourth finals loss.

Building a Winning Culture in Year Two

The championship validates a remarkable upward trajectory for an expansion franchise that joined the league at the start of the 2025-2026 season. In their inaugural campaign, the Valkyries finished fourth in the Western Conference and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs. One year later, Williams credited the team’s relentless defensive identity for their rapid ascension to the top of the league. On a des personnes prêtes à tout donner pour remporter un match. Elles ne se soucient pas de marquer des points. Elles veulent défendre et prendre des rebonds, Williams said. Head coach Natalie Nakase echoed that sentiment, calling the title un message à tous ceux qui ont été sous-estimés ou incompris.

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