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Valkyries Win First Title in Game 7 Thriller

Updated 12:12 AM ET · 4:08 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: The Golden State Valkyries captured their first WNBA championship with a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in the first Game 7 in Finals history.

The Golden State Valkyries secured their first WNBA championship in just their second season, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a thrilling Game 7 at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 30 points, scoring the team's final 11 points of the third quarter and dominating in the fourth.

The Dream, despite strong performances from Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, struggled to maintain their early lead as the Valkyries fought back with relentless defense.

The Valkyries' comeback was fueled by their defensive intensity, which had been missing in their previous loss.

Tiffany Hayes, who had been coming off the bench all season, provided key contributions, shooting 49.1 percent over the past five games.

The game marked the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, with the Valkyries taking advantage of their home-court advantage at Chase Center.

Former President Barack Obama joined the celebrations, highlighting the historic moment for the Valkyries.

The Dream's Angel Reese had a standout performance, becoming the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• 4 Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the Finals this weekend at "Ballhalla," Chase Center in San Francisco.
• She was baffled that her team somehow left behind its defensive intensity at the start of Thursday’s 80-69 loss to the Dream that forced Game 7 at “Ballhalla” in San Francisco on Saturday night.
• While the Valkyries were missing their defensive edge that was so important in their 64-55 Game 5 win, the Dream seized the opportunity by making 73.3% of their shots in the first quarter and racing to a 32-15 lead.
• "Can't let that happen right out of the gate," Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said.
• Gabby Williams scored her team's final 11 points of the third quarter and dazzled through the fourth on the way to 30 points, and the Golden State Valkyries captured a championship in just their second season by beating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a sensational first WNBA Finals Game 7 Saturday night.
• Nakase was still struggling to comprehend the lackadaisical start so she could make sure it’s not repeated in Saturday night’s decisive game.
• Please give us a call at 520-836-7461 Atlanta Dream's Rhyne Howard, top, and Golden State Valkyries' Tiffany Hayes battle for the ball during the second half of Game 6 of the WNBA basketball finals on Thursday, Oct.
• Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese (5) goes up to shoot against Golden State Valkyries' Kiah Stokes during the second half of Game 6 of the WNBA basketball finals on Thursday, Oct.
• Atlanta Dream's Allisha Gray celebrates after shooting a three-pointer during the first half of Game 6 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday, Oct.
• Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase speaks with Veronica Burton during the first half of Game 6 of the WNBA basketball finals on Thursday, Oct.
• Atlanta Dream's Jordin Canada walks of the court after the Dream won Game 6 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday, Oct.
• There should be no problem with the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream approaching the first WNBA Finals Game 7 in league history with a sense of urgency.

What's still developing

• The home team has won 11 of those 13 decisive Finals games, according to ESPN.
• In a Finals that's been mostly defined by defense, the Dream's offense showed up in a big way in the elimination game as Atlanta raced out to a 25-point first-half lead en route to an 80-69 victory.
• And while Atlanta lost the turnover battle for the third straight game, this time by a 15-10 margin, the Dream still managed to outscore the Valkyries 18-12 in points off turnovers.
• There have been 13 winner-take-all games in Finals history, most recently in 2024 when the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in a Game 5 to earn their first championship.
• The Valkyries return to the friendly confines of Ballhalla after failing to close out the series on the road in Game 6.
• Watch NBC Bay Area News free wherever you are There has never been a Game 7 in WNBA playoff history.
• For the WNBA finals, the games in Atlanta were moved to the 16,000-seat State Farm Arena, resulting in some scheduling adjustments becoming necessary.
• The Valkyries reclaimed home-court advantage on Saturday afternoon with a gritty 67-62 victory at State Farm Arena, countering Atlanta’s blowout win in Game 3.
• They got there by taking 57 shots from the floor compared to Atlanta’s 27 during those two quarters – so it wasn’t like the Valkyries’ shooting woes were exactly over.
• PT, 2 1/2 hours before the previously scheduled start time.
• Then after Bueckers missed a 19-foot pullup with 55 seconds left and Ogunbowale missed a floater after a Jessica Shepard rebound, Williams came through clutch once again to seal the game at the free-throw line.
• Zandalasini, who started 34 of the 37 regular-season games she appeared in, came off the bench and provided a 10-point first-half effort.

Sources

• ABC7 Bay Arealink
• Eagle-Tribunelink
• Espnlink
• Goshen Newslink
• Long Beach Press-Telegramlink
• Marietta Daily Journallink
• NBC Bay Arealink
• PinalCentral.comlink
• Rockdale Citizenlink
• Terre Haute Tribune-Starlink
• The Guardianlink
• The Rome News-Tribunelink
• The Speclink
• WaltonTribune.comlink
• couriernews.comlink
• Rafulink
• ESPN — video link