Golden State Valkyries beat Atlanta Dream 68–63 in Game 7 to win first WNBA title
The Golden State Valkyries are WNBA champions. They beat the Atlanta Dream 68–63 in Game 7 of the Finals on Saturday night, 31 October, at Chase Center in San Francisco, taking the series 4–3. It was the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, and Golden State won the title in only its second season in the league.
Gabby Williams was the star of the night. She scored a game-high 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting, and added four blocks, three rebounds, two assists and two steals. With the score tied at 57–57 and just over two minutes left, Williams hit a deep three-pointer to put Golden State in front, and the Valkyries never gave the lead back. She was named Finals MVP after averaging 19.6 points a game across the series.
Atlanta pushed Golden State all the way. Allisha Gray led the Dream with 16 points, and the series had been tied 3–3 going into the deciding game. Four of the first six games had been decided by nine points or more, but Game 7 stayed close until the final minutes. Golden State reached the Finals by beating the Dallas Wings in the first round and then sweeping the Las Vegas Aces in the semi-finals.
Why it matters
The Valkyries joined the WNBA as an expansion team ahead of the 2025 season, so this is a title won in only their second year. The WNBA said it was the fastest an expansion team has ever won the league. A new team lifting the trophy this quickly shows how open the league has become, with a first-time champion crowned in front of a home crowd in San Francisco.
What happens next
The league now turns to the 2027 season, when the Valkyries will open their title defence as champions. Atlanta will go again next year, after coming within five points of the championship in a deciding Game 7.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527848-gabby-williams-wins-2026-wnba-finals-mvp-valkyries-beat-dream-win-1st-ever-title (Bleacher Report, 1 November 2026)
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25527846-valkyries-win-wnba-finals-vs-dream-box-score-stats-highlights-angel-reese-top-players (Bleacher Report, 1 November 2026)
- https://wire.report/article/valkyries-beat-dream-68-63-in-game-7-to-win-the-wnba-finals-2026-10-31 (Wire Report, 31 October 2026)
- https://wire.report/article/valkyries-win-wnba-title-in-second-season-fastest-expansion-2026-10-31 (Wire Report, 31 October 2026)
