Valkyries win first WNBA title

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams scored 28 points in the second half of Saturday's game, a total that stands as the highest single half output in WNBA postseason history. Her performance secured a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center.

The win marks the franchise's first championship. The team, which held the No. 2 seed during the regular season, is in its second year of competition in the league. Williams, who is 30 years old, received the 2026 WNBA Finals MVP award following the final.

Williams noted that the team's defensive strategy defined the game. She explained in a Monday interview with Good Morning America that despite being down by six points, the squad maintained its desired control. "We're a defensive-minded team, so the fact that we kept them under 40, we were like, 'OK, we got this,'" she said.

The forward attributed the team's success to organizational culture rather than individual star power. She stated that the staff selected players who fit a specific environment. "They just kept using the word 'culture,' and that goes way far," Williams said. She contrasted this group with previous rosters featuring prominent stars, noting that those teams had performed worse than the current Valkyries squad.

Williams credited head coach Natalie Nakase for establishing a high standard of competition. She described Nakase as the most competitive person she has encountered in her career. "She cares so, so deeply on a human level for each person, and you just want to go through a wall for her," Williams said. The coach's approach, according to Williams, inspires the entire roster to perform at a higher level every day.

The Valkyries finished the series with a 68-63 score, ending the Dream's season. The game took place inside Chase Center, a venue the team refers to as Ballhalla. Williams' second-half scoring surge turned the tide after a competitive first period, leading to the final whistle.