The Golden State Valkyries secured their first WNBA championship on Saturday night, October 31, 2026, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco. The historic game marked the first Game 7 ever played in the WNBA Finals and culminated with the Bay Area expansion franchise lifting the trophy in just its second year of existence following its establishment in 2024.

A sell-out crowd of 18,064 spectators packed the arena, known locally by fans as Ballhalla, to witness the conclusion of a back-and-forth championship series. Atlanta had extended the series two nights earlier by leveling the matchup at 3-3 on Thursday, pushing the Finals to a winner-take-all decider. Courtside spectators for the tense, defense-dominated finale included former San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.

## Williams Delivers Record-Breaking Second Half

Golden State forward and guard Gabby Williams carried the offense through a grueling second half, finishing the night with 30 points and earning the WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. Williams scored 28 of her 30 points after halftime, establishing a new league postseason record as the first player in WNBA history to record 28 points in a single half.

Over the course of the seven-game series, Williams compiled 137 total points and 18 steals, setting all-time WNBA Finals records in both statistical categories. Her offensive production kept Golden State competitive during stretches when outside shots failed to fall, providing stability before the Valkyries mounted their fourth-quarter push.

Following the trophy presentation, Williams spoke about the strong chemistry within the roster, describing how the group was propelled by selfless teammates who were ready to sacrifice their bodies on the court to secure a victory. Head coach Natalie Nakase reflected on the emotional significance of the milestone, stating that the championship belonged to everyone who had ever felt overlooked or misunderstood, while emphasizing that wholehearted commitment can turn an underdog franchise into a champion.

## Early Droughts and Atlanta’s Response

The contest began as a test of defensive execution, with Atlanta suffering an immediate offensive drought. The Dream failed to score across the opening 5 minutes and 19 seconds of play, missing their first eight field-goal attempts and committing four turnovers. The Valkyries capitalized on those early miscues by building an 8-0 advantage.

Dream head coach Karl Smesko later pointed directly to that sluggish opening stretch, expressing frustration over the lost opportunities and noting that those first five minutes created an unnecessary uphill battle that his squad could not fully erase.

Despite the cold start, Atlanta gradually established its half-court rhythm. By tightening up interior defense and converting second-chance possessions, the Dream erased the deficit and eventually pushed their own lead to nine points during the third quarter. Guard Jordin Canada led Atlanta with 18 points, while Allisha Gray contributed 16. Angel Reese pulled down 12 rebounds and added eight points. After the loss, Reese remarked that she felt grateful to have battled through the grueling series with her teammates, noting that although the outcome was difficult to accept, the team remained confident about returning to contend in the future.

Perimeter shooting proved difficult for both sides throughout the evening. Atlanta struggled from long distance, shooting 6-for-30 on three-pointers and finishing 23-for-69 overall from the field, which translated to 33.3 percent shooting. Golden State converted 5 of 20 attempts from beyond the arc. The loss marked the fourth time Atlanta has fallen short in the WNBA Finals across the franchise’s 18-year history.

## Late Sequences Decide the Title

Tension peaked in the fourth quarter as the teams traded contested shots and defensive stops. Gray tied the score at 53-53 on a jump shot with 5:14 remaining on the game clock.

Accounts of the precise sequence that established Golden State’s decisive lead varied slightly across news reports. According to one account, Gray’s tying basket was followed by traded free throws and a driving layup before Williams drained a 31-foot three-pointer with 2:18 remaining, breaking a tie to put the Valkyries ahead 60-57. A separate report described the score as tied at 55-55 with under three minutes remaining when Williams made a three-pointer that ignited a 7-0 Golden State run.

The Valkyries created vital cushion in the closing minute. With 53 seconds remaining, center Kiah Stokes followed a Williams miss by converting a tip-in off an offensive rebound, extending the Golden State lead to 64-57. Inside the final 10 seconds, Williams won a contested jump ball against Gray with 8.3 seconds left. Guard Veronica Burton drew a foul shortly afterward and sank both free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining, sealing the 68-63 outcome.

Burton contributed across multiple categories throughout Game 7, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Following the final buzzer, Burton observed that the Valkyries had refused to let outside opinions place limits on their potential, explaining that their achievement showed what happens when players stay focused and maintain continuous daily effort.

## Defensive Anchors and the Valkyries’ Rise

Stifling team defense served as the backbone of the championship run overseen by Nakase and franchise owner Joe Lacob. That foundation was evident throughout the regular season, during which Golden State held opponents to a league-best 75.1 points per game.

Stokes patrolled the paint throughout the championship round, setting a WNBA Finals record by collecting 19 blocked shots over the seven games. In Game 7, Stokes led all rebounders with 13 boards and added two blocks, securing the fourth WNBA championship of her career.

Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes also provided crucial veteran poise down the stretch, scoring 11 points in the deciding contest. Hayes took on an expanded role as the stakes escalated, averaging 26 minutes per game during the Finals after averaging 17 minutes per contest during the regular season.

By executing critical possessions in the final minutes of Game 7, Golden State completed one of the fastest ascents to a championship in professional basketball, turning an expansion program founded in 2024 into a WNBA champion on its home floor.