Golden State Valkyries secure franchise's first title in tight Game 7 finish

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 on Saturday night in San Francisco to win the WNBA championship. The victory marks the franchise's first title in its second season of existence. The series ended in Game 7, with Golden State holding a 66-63 lead with 8.3 seconds remaining before closing the game.

The game was defined by defensive intensity. Both teams struggled from the field, with Atlanta shooting 33.3% from the floor and making only six of 30 three-point attempts. Golden State was equally inefficient from deep, hitting five of 20 shots. The low-scoring nature of the contest forced players to rely on interior play and free throws to move the chains.

The path to this title was not linear. The Valkyries started the final quarter behind by nine points. They trailed 37-28 in the sixth minute of the third period. A rally began with baskets from Kiah Stokes and Cecilia Zandalasini, which cut the deficit. Gabby Williams then scored the final 13 points of that quarter for her team. Her surge put the hosts up 45-44 entering the final ten minutes.

Williams, who had led the earlier rally, controlled the closing minutes. She hit two free throws with 3:34 left and a driving layup 32 seconds later. Both buckets gave Golden State a two-point lead, though Atlanta erased each one. With 2:18 remaining, Williams hit a 31-foot three-point shot to take a 60-57 lead. She followed that with two free throws to extend the margin.

The decisive sequence occurred with 53 seconds left. Stokes secured a rebound on a missed shot and tipped it in for the basket. Chase Center, nicknamed Ballhalla, reacted as the lead grew to 64-57. With 5.1 seconds remaining, Veronica Burton drew a foul. She made both free throws to secure the final points for the Valkyries.

Williams finished with 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting. She also recorded four blocked shots. Her 30 points were the second-highest total of her playoff run, following a 36-point performance in the first round against the Dallas Wings on September 30. Burton added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Stokes provided a game-high 13 rebounds along with eight points.

For Atlanta, Jordin Canada led the team with 18 points. Allisha Gray scored 16 points, including a short jumper with 5:14 left that tied the game at 53. Angel Reese contributed eight points and 12 rebounds. The Dream had eight shots blocked in total. They had previously lost the finals in 2010, 2011, and 2013.

The Atlanta Dream joins the list of franchises without a championship. They have played 19 seasons in the WNBA since joining the league in 2008. The Valkyries, in contrast, have now won the league's only trophy. The series concluded in front of a local crowd that included Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green and former San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds.