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Valkyries Win First WNBA Title in Game 7 Thriller

Updated 11:17 PM ET · 4:08 PM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: The Valkyries' victory marks the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, adding another historic moment to the league's legacy.

The Golden State Valkyries secured their first WNBA championship in a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Atlanta Dream, winning 68-63 at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night. The Valkyries, led by head coach Natalie Nakase, demonstrated resilience and determination after a tough loss in Game 6.

In Game 6, the Dream had dominated with a 25-point first-half lead, shooting over 43% from the field and 3-point range. Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard combined for nine triples and 44 points, while the Dream outscored the Valkyries 18-12 in points off turnovers despite losing the turnover battle.

Nakase made crucial adjustments for Game 7, inserting Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes into the starting lineup to bolster perimeter defense and rebounding depth. Hayes, who had struggled in Game 1, found her shooting touch, contributing significantly to the Valkyries' comeback.

Gabby Williams, a key player for the Valkyries, scored her team's final 11 points of the third quarter and dazzled through the fourth, finishing with 30 points. Williams' clutch performance was pivotal in the Valkyries' comeback, as she sealed the game at the free-throw line.

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. However, the Valkyries' defensive adjustments and Williams' clutch play proved decisive in the final moments.

Nakase emphasized the importance of maintaining defensive intensity from the start, a lesson learned from the Dream's hot start in Game 6. The Valkyries' defensive effort was crucial in limiting the Dream's scoring opportunities and securing the championship.

The Valkyries' victory marks the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, adding another historic moment to the league's legacy. The game's significance was underscored by the Valkyries' determination to avoid a slow start and the Dream's efforts to capitalize on their home-court advantage.

With the championship win, the Valkyries have established themselves as a formidable force in the WNBA, setting the stage for future success in the league.

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.
• 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.
• ATLANTA -- While the Atlanta Dream and WNBA play the blame game and the outside world expresses outrage and condemnation over the midday Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, Dream players and head coach Karl Smesko are staying laser-focused on the task at hand: evening the series against the Golden State Valkyries and keeping their hopes of a WNBA championship alive.

What's still developing

• The home team has won 11 of those 13 decisive Finals games, according to ESPN.
• 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.
• After all, the start of the WNBA season was two months away.
• 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.
• 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.
• "Can't let that happen right out of the gate," Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said.
• 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.
• After dropping back-to-back one-sided affairs — including a 26-point blowout on Wednesday — the Valkyries were trailing the Atlanta Dream 2-1 in the WNBA Finals.

Sources

• ABC7 Bay Arealink
• Eagle-Tribunelink
• Espnlink
• Goshen Newslink
• NBC Bay Arealink
• PinalCentral.comlink
• Rockdale Citizenlink
• Terre Haute Tribune-Starlink
• The Rome News-Tribunelink
• WaltonTribune.comlink
• couriernews.comlink
• Rafulink
• Eagletribunelink
• Espnlink
• Theshadowleaguelink
• NBC Newslink
• Quita Loves Sports — video link