Golden State defeats Atlanta 68–63 in Game 7 as Gabby Williams delivers a historic second-half performance to capture the franchise’s first championship.
October 31, 2026 | Sports UNIllustrated
The Golden State Valkyries didn’t need five years to build a championship team. They needed two.
On Saturday night at Chase Center, Golden State defeated the Atlanta Dream 68–63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals, completing a seven-game battle that delivered the first championship in Valkyries franchise history.
And they didn’t get there the easy way.
A Finals Series That Went the Distance
Golden State opened the Finals with a 68–64 victory, but Atlanta responded with consecutive wins in Games 2 and 3, taking a 2–1 series lead.
The Valkyries answered with back-to-back victories in Games 4 and 5, moving within one win of the championship.
But Atlanta wasn’t finished.
An 80–69 Dream victory in Game 6 forced a winner-take-all Game 7, sending the championship battle back to San Francisco.
Seven games. Multiple momentum swings. Neither team willing to go away.
Game 7: Atlanta Fights Back, Golden State Responds
Golden State opened the deciding game with an 8–0 run, holding Atlanta scoreless for more than five minutes.
But the Dream recovered.
Led by Jordin Canada’s second-quarter offense, Atlanta entered halftime ahead 30–24.
Golden State needed someone to change the direction of the game.
That someone was Gabby Williams.
After scoring just two points in the first half, Williams erupted for 15 in the third quarter, helping the Valkyries erase Atlanta’s advantage and take a 45–44 lead into the fourth.
The championship was still anybody’s to win.
Gabby Williams Takes Over
The teams continued trading blows in the fourth quarter, and Atlanta tied the game at 57 with fewer than three minutes remaining.
Then Williams delivered one of the biggest shots of the season.
Her deep three-pointer broke the tie and put Golden State ahead 60–57. Two more free throws extended the lead, and Kiah Stokes followed with a crucial putback.
Atlanta refused to surrender.
Allisha Gray hit a late three-pointer and later converted two free throws to pull the Dream within three points, 66–63.
With the championship hanging in the balance, Atlanta forced a jump-ball situation in the closing seconds.
Golden State recovered possession, and Veronica Burton stepped to the free-throw line.
She made both.
Golden State 68. Atlanta 63. Championship secured.
Williams finished with 30 points, four blocks and two steals. Twenty-eight of her points came in the second half, establishing a WNBA Finals record for points in one half.
Her performance earned her the 2026 WNBA Finals MVP award.
More Than One Championship Performance
Williams was the centerpiece of the Game 7 victory, but Golden State’s championship run required contributions throughout the roster.
Kiah Stokes finished Game 7 with 13 rebounds and two blocks, completing a Finals series in which she recorded 18 blocks.
Tiffany Hayes added 11 points in the deciding game, while Burton’s composure at the free-throw line provided the finishing touch.
Head coach Natalie Nakase also made adjustments during the series, changing her starting lineup after Golden State fell behind 2–1.
The Valkyries weren’t simply relying on one player to carry them through seven games. They found different ways to respond when Atlanta challenged them.
Atlanta’s Championship Push Falls Short
The final score doesn’t tell the whole story of Atlanta’s postseason.
The Dream swept the New York Liberty in the semifinals and pushed Golden State to a seventh game after falling behind 3–2 in the Finals.
Canada led Atlanta with 18 points in Game 7. Gray finished with 16, while Angel Reese added eight points and 12 rebounds.
Atlanta had the halftime lead and opportunities late in the fourth quarter. But the Dream couldn’t contain Williams when the championship was on the line.
Their season ends one victory short of the title.
A Championship Years Ahead of Schedule
The Valkyries entered the WNBA in 2025 and reached the playoffs in their inaugural season.
One year later, they’re champions.
Golden State survived a three-game opening-round series against Dallas, swept Las Vegas in the semifinals and defeated Atlanta in seven games to finish its postseason run.
The franchise that was still building its identity a year ago now has a championship trophy.
Two seasons. Seven Finals games. One championship.
The Golden State Valkyries are the 2026 WNBA champions.
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