Golden State Valkyries Defeat Atlanta Dream To Secure First WNBA Championship

Gabby Williams scored when it mattered most and delivered what is one of the best WNBA Finals performances in years, helping the Golden State Valkyries secure their first championship with a 68-63 Game 7 win over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday night.

Despite a slow start, Williams scored 28 of her 30 points in the final 20 minutes, helping the team secure a championship in only their second season.

Williams’ performance was also one for the record books as she scored the most points in a half in a WNBA Finals game, helping her earn MVP honors.

“I love moments like this,” Williams said. “[Coach] Natalie [Nakase] told me to be patient in the first half. I listened to her.”

For Williams, it was her first WNBA championship; she previously spent time with the Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm before landing in Ballhalla.

Before becoming a WNBA champion, Williams (30) won a college championship and while hooping overseas. Her gold-medal ambitions fell short while playing for France in the FIBA World Cup this past September, as she lost to Angel Reese and Team USA.

Williams didn’t let this moment slip past her, putting her team on her back, and taking over with the Valkyries trailing by six at the half, and knocking down shots from all ove the court.

She had 15 points in the third quarter alone after scoring only 2 points in the entire first half, helping the Valkyries head into the fourth quarter with a 45-44 lead.

Williams provided a much-needed spark, scoring nine straight points when the game was tied at 53, and the Valkyries never looked back.

Angel Reese Believes This Is Not The Last Time You Will See Her & The Atlanta Dream In The Finals

For the Dream, Angel Reese, who has had some dominating performances in the series, had only 8 points, but she grabbed 12 rebounds.

Following the game, Reese said she was proud of the Dream’s season and vowed the team would be back in the Finals.

“I’m really proud of the year that I had,” Reese said. “I’ve done a lot of great things this year, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without this group. I love these girls. I love the coaches. I think it also sucks because our fan base back home poured into us so much this year, and we really wanted to do it for them. But we’re forever grateful, and like I said, we’ll be back.”

We shall see.

Congrats are due to the Valkyries; winning a WNBA championship in only their second year of existence is quite remarkable.

We shall see if they can repeat next season; until then, you can peep reactions to the Valkyries taking home the WNBA Finals championship.