Golden State Valkyries defeat Atlanta Dream for franchise’s first WNBA title

In only their second season in existence, the Golden State Valkyries are WNBA champions. The Valkyries won their first title in franchise history on Saturday, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. Forward Gabby Williams led with 30 points. Purple confetti rained down onto the court as the crowd erupted in cheers, and the Valkyries celebrated the historic victory. “I love moments like this,” Williams said moments after the final buzzer. “Nat told me to be patient in the first half. It was hard, but I listened to her. She’s right as always and she got us here,” she said referring to head coach Natalie Nakase. Golden State’s quick rise to the top of the sport, coupled with the team’s rabid fanbase, has already made the Valkyries one of the signature franchises in the WNBA. In the team’s inaugural season, Golden State finished 23-21 and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs, the only time an expansion team reached the postseason in its first year in league history. Prior to the 2026 season, the Valkyries rebuilt their frontcourt, signing Williams after she made her first All-Star team, and also adding center Kiah Stokes, previously of the Las Vegas Aces, via free agency. Williams became the team’s leading scorer, while Stokes added a rebounding presence in the middle. Directing the action was fifth-year guard Veronica Burton, who led the team in assists during the regular season. The rebuilt roster allowed Nakase — a two-time champion as a player and the reigning Coach of the Year — to push the right buttons in the Finals. After Golden State won the first game, Atlanta roared back with double-digit blowout wins to take a 2-1 lead. FOR SUBSCRIBERSMin Jin Lee considers the promise of education FOR SUBSCRIBERSHow an explosive ad upended Ohio’s midterm elections FOR SUBSCRIBERSMin Jin Lee considers the promise of education FOR SUBSCRIBERSHow an explosive ad upended Ohio’s midterm elections Nakase shortened her rotation after Game 3, while also swapping out multiple players in her starting lineup. As she leaned more heavily on on her big three of Williams, Stokes and Burton, the Valkyries answered with two consecutive wins of its own to retake the series edge, at 3-2. Atlanta staved off elimination Thursday in Game 6 in Atlanta in a game that tipped off at 12:30 p.m. ET due to difficulties scheduling around previous events taking place at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, a much larger venue than the Dream’s typical home arena, which seats fewer than 4,000. Golden State’s championship run coincided with a business boom for the franchise, which has the same principal ownership group as the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. In May, CNBC valued Golden State at $1 billion, making the Valkyries the first WNBA team to reach that threshold. Meanwhile, during the regular season, Golden State led the WNBA in both average attendance and total attendance. Playing at the Chase Center — which Valkyries fans have dubbed “Ballhalla” — Golden State has sold out every home game during its two seasons of existence. Now, with a WNBA championship trophy in tow, the excitement around the Valkyries should only grow as the team looks to go back to back in 2027. [Image text:] feedon GOLDEN STAT