Golden State Valkyries win WNBA title in franchise first
The expansion team defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a historic Game 7, securing their first championship after a two-season run.
By Connor Murphy ·
The Golden State Valkyries became WNBA champions on Saturday, ending a seven-game series against the Atlanta Dream with a 68-63 victory. It was the first title in franchise history and the first Game 7 in the league's finals.
Forward Gabby Williams led the scoring with 30 points. She was named Finals MVP for a performance that included the most points by any player in a half of WNBA postseason history. Williams scored just two points in the first half before adding 15 in the third quarter and 13 in the fourth.
Kiah Stokes provided support from the inside, recording a game-high 13 rebounds. The team's success relied on a core trio that includes fifth-year guard Veronica Burton, who led the league in assists during the regular season.
Head coach Natalie Nakase guided the team through a volatile series. After Golden State took the first game, Atlanta won the next two by double-digit margins to lead 2-1. Nakase responded by shortening her rotation and changing her starting lineup. The adjustment helped Golden State win the next two games to retake the series lead 3-2.
The series concluded on Halloween. Williams reflected on that date after the final buzzer. 'I wasn’t gonna lose on Halloween,' she said while accepting her award. She also credited Nakase for the team's resilience. 'Nat told me to be patient in the first half. It was hard, but I listened to her. She’s right as always and she got us here,' Williams said.
This is the Valkyries' second season in the WNBA. In their inaugural year, they finished 23-21 and advanced to the playoffs, a first for an expansion team in its debut season. Before the 2026 campaign, the franchise rebuilt its frontcourt by signing Williams and adding center Kiah Stokes from the Las Vegas Aces.
The team's performance has driven strong business results. In May, CNBC valued the franchise at $1 billion, making it the first WNBA team to reach that mark. During the 2026 regular season, Golden State led the league in both average and total attendance.
The Valkyries share ownership with the NBA's Golden State Warriors. They play at the Chase Center, a venue fans have nicknamed Ballhalla. The team has sold out every home game in both of its seasons.
The final game required a scheduling adjustment in Atlanta. Game 6 was played Thursday at State Farm Arena, a larger venue than the Dream's usual home court. The tip-off was set for 12:30 p.m. ET to accommodate other events at the arena.
