Golden State Claims Historic Title
The Golden State Valkyries secured their first WNBA championship on Saturday night at Chase Center, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a decisive Game 7. The victory completed a hard-fought 4-3 series win in the WNBA Finals, led by an unforgettable performance from Finals MVP Gabby Williams.
While Golden State celebrated its maiden title, the Atlanta Dream fell short despite holding a 2-1 lead earlier in the series. Angel Reese struggled to find her rhythm down the stretch, finishing the clinching game with eight points and 12 rebounds.
Gabby Williams Dominates the Finisher
Gabby Williams put on a legendary performance for Golden State, scoring 30 points—including 28 in the second half—along with four blocks. Her defining moment came with 2.18 remaining when she sank a 31-foot three-pointer to break a 57-57 tie, putting the Valkyries ahead for good.
Down the stretch, key plays from Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton helped seal the outcome. Stokes grabbed two crucial offensive rebounds late in the fourth quarter, converting the second into a putback to stretch the lead to 64-57. Burton added 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Tiffany Hayes contributed 11 points.
Angel Reese and Atlanta's Late Struggles
Atlanta fought hard throughout the contest, led by Jordin Canada with 18 points and Allisha Gray with 16. The Dream capitalized on a slow start by Golden State to build a 30-24 halftime advantage, later extending it to 37-28 in the third quarter.
However, Angel Reese had a quiet night offensively after the opening halves, scoring just one point in the fourth quarter on a free throw with 18.6 seconds remaining. She did not attempt a field goal in the final period.
- Game 7 Score: Golden State Valkyries 68, Atlanta Dream 63
- Series Result: Golden State wins 4-3
- Finals MVP: Gabby Williams (30 points, 4 blocks)
- Atlanta Leaders: Jordin Canada (18 points), Allisha Gray (16 points)
- National Anthem: Both teams left the court for the anthem before tipoff, mirroring the rest of the series.
Reese's offensive production dipped over the final four games of the series. After combining for 51 points and 28 rebounds in Games 2 and 3, she shot 12-for-45 over the last four contests and committed 19 turnovers. Earlier in the series, Reese had commented on her mental approach, stating, "They’re playing into my mental game where I can take their confidence and just try to do whatever to mess them up."
Despite a late steal by Reese and free throws by Gray, Veronica Burton sealed the game from the line with 5.1 seconds left to cement Golden State's historic title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the WNBA Finals?
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The Golden State Valkyries won the WNBA Finals 4-3 after defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7.
Who was named WNBA Finals MVP?
Gabby Williams won the Finals MVP award after scoring 30 points in Game 7, including 28 in the second half, and recording four blocks.
How did Angel Reese perform in Game 7?
Angel Reese finished Game 7 with eight points, 12 rebounds, and four turnovers, scoring her only point of the fourth quarter on a free throw with 18.6 seconds remaining.