Golden State wins first WNBA title in franchise history

The Golden State Valkyries claimed their first WNBA championship on Saturday, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in an exhilarating Game 7. Young star Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with an impressive 30 points, 4 blocks, and 3 steals. Williams expressed relief after the game, stating, "Yeah right. We got good people. We got winners."

Jordin Canada was the top scorer for the Dream with 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds. Atlanta's Angel Reese, however, had a disappointing performance, finishing with just 8 points on 3-of-7 shooting. This marked the first time a team won a Game 7 in WNBA history. The Valkyries' journey to the title was remarkable, as they were a relatively new team in their second season.

Led by the rookie Gabby Williams, the team defied skeptics who doubted their talent and star power. The Dream matched the Valkyries in intensity but ultimately fell short, now winless in four WNBA Finals appearances. The 2026 WNBA season was a tremendous success, setting new records for viewership, attendance, and average viewership per game.

The league's transition to a seven-game series for the Finals marked a significant development, resulting in the Valkyries' historic first championship.