The Golden State Valkyries made history on Saturday night, October 31, 2026, by winning their first-ever WNBA championship with a dramatic 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals. At the center of the historic achievement was Gabby Williams, who delivered an extraordinary second-half performance to earn WNBA Finals MVP honors.
Playing in just their second season as a franchise, the Valkyries became the fastest North American professional expansion team since 1967 to win a championship. The victory at Chase Center in San Francisco completed an unforgettable postseason run for Golden State and gave the Bay Area its first WNBA title.
Williams finished with a game-high 30 points, four blocks and two steals. Her remarkable performance helped Golden State overcome a six-point halftime deficit and secure the championship in front of an energetic home crowd.
Gabby Williams Dominates Game 7 of the WNBA Finals
Gabby Williams saved her best performance for the biggest moment of the season. After scoring only two points in the first half, the Valkyries star completely changed the game after halftime.
Williams scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half, setting a WNBA Finals record for points in a half. She also became only the second player in WNBA history to score at least 30 points in a winner-take-all Finals game, joining Penny Taylor, who achieved the feat with Phoenix in 2007.
The Atlanta Dream entered halftime with a 30-24 advantage, putting themselves in a strong position to win the championship. However, Williams took control in the third quarter, scoring 15 points, including 11 consecutive points that helped Golden State move ahead 45-44.
Her performance demonstrated why she became one of the most important players in the Golden State Valkyries roster throughout the season.
Gabby Williams’ Incredible Three-Pointer Seals the Victory
The fourth quarter delivered another dramatic chapter in the Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries matchup.
With the game tied at 53, Williams continued her scoring run and produced nine consecutive points for Golden State. One of the biggest moments came when she connected on a deep three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining.
Her shot gave the Valkyries a 60-57 advantage and shifted the pressure onto Atlanta.
The Dream continued fighting through the final minutes, with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray attempting to keep their championship hopes alive. However, Golden State produced crucial defensive stops, while Veronica Burton converted important late free throws to help secure the 68-63 victory.
The final moments turned Chase Center, popularly known as Ballhalla, into a celebration as the Valkyries officially became WNBA champions.
Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries Match Player Stats
The Game 7 WNBA Finals matchup featured outstanding individual performances, particularly from Gabby Williams.
| Player | Team | Key Game 7 Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Gabby Williams | Golden State | 30 points, 4 blocks, 2 steals |
| Kiah Stokes | Golden State | 13 rebounds, 2 blocks |
| Tiffany Hayes | Golden State | 11 points |
| Rhyne Howard | Atlanta | Key fourth-quarter scoring |
| Allisha Gray | Atlanta | Important scoring contributions |
| Veronica Burton | Golden State | Crucial late free throws |
Williams was undoubtedly the headline performer, but Golden State also received significant contributions from its defensive players.
Kiah Stokes controlled the paint with 13 rebounds and two blocks. She also finished the Finals series with 19 total blocks, setting a new WNBA Finals record for blocks in a single series.
Veronica Burton played an important role in the closing moments, while Tiffany Hayes added 11 points to support Williams offensively.
For Atlanta, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray continued battling until the final buzzer, but the Dream could not overcome Golden State’s late-game execution.
How the Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries Timeline Unfolded
The Atlanta Dream vs Golden State Valkyries timeline featured several major turning points that ultimately decided the 2026 WNBA championship.
First Half: Atlanta established control early and entered halftime with a 30-24 lead. Angel Reese also made a three-pointer, continuing the Dream’s strong first-half performance.
Third Quarter: Williams responded with 15 points, including 11 consecutive points, helping Golden State take a 45-44 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Atlanta continued applying pressure, and Rhyne Howard helped keep the contest close. Williams then scored nine consecutive points, including a deep three-pointer that gave Golden State a crucial lead.
Final Minutes: Golden State relied on defensive stops and late free throws from Veronica Burton to protect its advantage.
Final Score: Golden State Valkyries 68, Atlanta Dream 63.
The result completed a memorable Game 7 and answered the question of who won the WNBA championship in 2026: the Golden State Valkyries.
Gabby Williams Wins WNBA Finals MVP
Gabby Williams’ Finals MVP award was a fitting recognition of her impact throughout the championship series.
The 30-year-old forward previously played for the Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm before joining the Golden State Valkyries. Although she had already experienced championship success in college and overseas basketball, the 2026 title represented her first WNBA championship.
Williams had also experienced disappointment on the international stage. She was part of the French national team that narrowly lost to the United States in the gold-medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Her Game 7 performance showed her ability to deliver under pressure.
She was also runner-up for the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award, highlighting her two-way impact. Her four blocks in the championship-deciding game demonstrated that she could influence the result beyond scoring.
Teammate Kiah Stokes praised Williams after the game, emphasizing how important she had been to the team’s offense throughout the season.
Veronica Burton also highlighted Williams’ confidence and ability to take control after halftime.
Golden State Valkyries Make Expansion-Team History
The Golden State Valkyries’ championship is one of the biggest achievements in recent WNBA history.
The franchise entered the league as an expansion team and reached the top of the basketball world in only its second season.
The accomplishment is particularly significant because expansion teams typically need time to develop chemistry, establish a competitive roster and build a winning culture.
Golden State completed that process remarkably quickly.
The team’s success also reflects the work of head coach Natalie Nakase, whose tactical adjustments played an important role in the championship series. Starting Kaila Charles and veteran Tiffany Hayes helped the Valkyries improve their defensive approach against Atlanta.
The franchise is owned by Joe Lacob, who also has ownership ties to the Golden State Warriors. The Valkyries’ championship gives the Bay Area another major basketball achievement.
The team’s supporters, known as Ballhalla fans, celebrated a historic night as the franchise lifted its first WNBA trophy.
Atlanta Dream Fall Short in Game 7
The Atlanta Dream entered the WNBA Finals hoping to capture the franchise’s first championship, but their season ended with a difficult 68-63 defeat.
Despite leading at halftime, Atlanta struggled to contain Williams after the break. The Dream had opportunities to regain control in the fourth quarter, but Golden State’s defense and late-game execution made the difference.
Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray remained important contributors, while Angel Reese also played a role in Atlanta’s first-half effort.
The defeat marked another unsuccessful WNBA Finals appearance for Atlanta, which has now fallen short in the championship series for the fourth time in franchise history.
Veteran DeWanna Bonner still achieved an important personal milestone during the postseason. She became the first player in WNBA history to record 600 career postseason defensive rebounds.
Who Won the WNBA Championship 2026?
The Golden State Valkyries won the 2026 WNBA championship by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the Finals on October 31, 2026.
Gabby Williams was named WNBA Finals MVP after scoring 30 points, including a record-breaking 28 points in the second half.
The championship was the first in franchise history and came during only the Valkyries’ second season in the league.
For Golden State, the victory represents the beginning of a historic chapter. For Williams, it marks the arrival of her first WNBA championship and one of the most memorable performances of her professional career.
The Valkyries have officially reached the top of the WNBA, and their historic Game 7 victory will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the 2026 season.
Leave a Reply