Golden State Valkyries Win WNBA Championship in Historic Second Season

The Golden State Valkyries captured their first WNBA championship in just their second season of existence, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a historic Game 7 at the Chase Center on Saturday night. Overcoming a six-point halftime deficit, the Valkyries secured the fastest title run by an expansion franchise in North American sports history.

Entering the decisive matchup, head coach Natalie Nakase made clear her tactical expectations for the team. "We're punching first. It's a non-negotiable. We're coming out with physicality, a focused mindset," Nakase told reporters pre-game. The squad heeded her words immediately, opening the contest with an 8-0 run and stifling the Dream's early offense.

Despite falling behind 30-24 at the break, the Valkyries relied on a stellar second-half performance from guard Gabby Williams, who earned Finals MVP honors. Williams scored 28 of her game-high 30 points in the final two periods, setting a WNBA Finals record for points in a half. Nakase advised Williams to remain patient during the intermission, a directive the guard followed as she delivered crucial baskets, including a deep 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.

"Nat told me to stay patient, I trust her with my life," Williams said after the victory. "I stayed patient." Nakase praised her closer's composure under pressure, noting that finishing a winner-take-all game with 30 points is an incredible achievement.

The victory fulfilled a bold prediction made by team owner Joe Lacob in 2023, when he stated that the newly minted franchise would claim a title within its first five seasons. Team leadership, including general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and President Jess Smith, built a resilient roster centered on defensive strength and tight-knit culture, eschewing traditional superstar acquisitions in favor of high-energy competitors.

Throughout the postseason, the Valkyries relied heavily on their top-ranked defense, holding opponents well below their regular-season scoring averages. In Game 7, that defensive identity came through in the final frame as they limited the Dream to just 19 points in the fourth quarter, cementing an improbable and joyful championship celebration in front of a sellout crowd of 18,000 fans in San Francisco.