Gabby Williams Leads Golden State Valkyries to Historic First WNBA Title in Game 7

Key points

• Golden State Valkyries defeated Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 at Chase Center in San Francisco.
• Gabby Williams scored 30 points, with 28 in the second half, and was named Finals MVP.
• The Valkyries became the fastest expansion franchise to win a championship in North American sports history.
• Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese scored only eight points in Game 7, finishing the series with a 40.5% field goal percentage.
• The game was the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, decided by a 31-foot three-pointer from Williams with 2:18 remaining.

Background

The Golden State Valkyries were formed in 2024 and won their first championship in their second season. Owner Joe Lacob had predicted a title within five years of the franchise's inception. The Valkyries had previously lost to the Atlanta Dream in the 2025 season, but Williams was acquired via free agency before the 2026 season. The series featured a national anthem protest by both teams, with players leaving the court during the anthem for all seven games.

How outlets are covering it

BBC Sport emphasized Williams' leadership and the team's culture, noting her 30-point performance and the sell-out crowd of 18,000 at Chase Center. Fox News focused on Angel Reese's struggles, highlighting her 8-point Game 7 performance and 19 turnovers across the final four games, while also noting the national anthem protest. CBS Sports detailed Williams' journey, including her recruitment by owner Joe Lacob and her previous stints with the Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm, and highlighted her 28 second-half points as a WNBA playoff record. ESPN's source was inaccessible due to a 403 error, so no perspective could be extracted from that outlet.

Why it matters

The Valkyries' victory marked the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history and the fastest expansion franchise title in North American sports. Williams' performance set Finals records for points (137) and steals (18) in the series. The result also sparked debate over viewership metrics, with NBC and USA Sports claiming record ratings, while Fox News criticized the methodology for combining streaming and TV figures.

What to watch

The Valkyries are scheduled to hold a parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco on Wednesday. The team will also celebrate into the early hours of Sunday. The Atlanta Dream will evaluate their season, having lost their fourth WNBA Finals in 18 years. Angel Reese will likely face scrutiny over her Finals performance, particularly her 40.5% field goal percentage and 19 turnovers in the final four games.