By Audrey Dern
By Audrey Dern
The Golden State Valkyries made sports history on October 31, 2026, by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 to secure their first WNBA Championship. Capturing the title in just their second year of existence, head coach Natalie Nakase’s squad shattered records, becoming the fastest expansion team in major North American professional sports history to win a championship. The winner-take-all contest (the first Game 7 in WNBA history) drew a record-breaking 3.3 million television viewers, turning Chase Center (“Ballhalla”) into a sea of pure violet celebration.
The night belonged to Valkyries forward Gabby Williams, who delivered a legendary performance to rescue Golden State from an early deficit. After a quiet two-point first half, Williams completely took over the game, scoring 28 of her game-high 30 points in the final two quarters. Her third-quarter explosion saw her single-handedly outscore the entire Atlanta Dream roster 15–14, shifting the momentum permanently in Golden State’s favor and earning her the Finals MVP honors award.
While Williams fueled the offense, the Valkyries’ defense locked down when it mattered most. Kia Stokes anchored the paint with 8 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 critical blocks. In the game’s final seconds, guard Veronica Burton iced the championship at the charity stripe, capping off a stellar double-double performance of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Ultimately, Golden State’s second-half resilience proved too much to overcome, etching the young franchise into the WNBA history books in unforgettable fashion.
Left to right: Gabby William and Natalie Nakase
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