Golden State Valkyries make history with first WNBA title in the team’s second year of existence

By Jacob Lev, CNN

(CNN) — The Golden State Valkyries made history on Saturday, clinching the franchise’s first WNBA championship with a 68-63 Game 7 win over the Atlanta Dream.

The Valkyries became the fastest expansion team among the major North American sports leagues (NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLB, NFL) to win a title, doing so in just their second year.

History was on the Valkyries side heading into Saturday’s Game 7.

The home team had won 11 of the last 13 winner-take-all games in the Finals and – at least in the early stages – it looked like Golden State would coast to becoming the 12th team to do so.

It was not such a dreamful start for Atlanta, as they started the game 0-10 from the field with two turnovers while Golden State jumped out of the gates with an 8-0 run.

But the lid on the rim finally opened for the Dream’s star duo of Angel Reese and Allisha Gray, and Atlanta eventually snatched the lead and went into the second quarter with a two-point cushion.

In a spooky turnaround for both teams, the Dream’s cold start was a thing of the past while the Valkyries’ hot start was nonexistent.

Atlanta’s momentum continued with a 9-0 run to jump out to their largest lead of the game, led by guard Jordin Canada.

Six minutes into the quarter, the Valkyries’ offensive struggles were on full display: Zero field goals, with their last one coming with seconds left in the first, and only three free throws.

Both teams struggled behind the 3-point arc in the first half. Golden State was 0-for-10 from deep until guard Kayla Thornton finally connected with three minutes to go in the half. The 3-pointer ended a drought of more than seven minutes without a field goal for the Valkyries.

The edition of the WNBA Finals featured some low-scoring affairs, and Game 7’s first half was no different. The Dream went into halftime with a six-point lead and Golden State mustered only 24 points – the ninth time in this series a team failed to reach 30 points in a half.

The Game 7 jitters both teams had in the first half seemed to dissipate a bit as the second half got underway.

Golden State was still struggling offensively with the Dream’s defense on full display as their lead grew to nine at the halfway point of the third quarter.

But the Valkyries were not rolling over as forward Cecilia Zandalasini cut the lead to five points, and the long-range shots were starting to fall for both squads as the game entered the late third quarter. But it was Valkyries star Gabby Williams, who had the upper hand.

The former fourth overall pick caught fire, knocking down three 3-pointers in the third quarter to cut the lead to one point.

The Valkyries went on a 17-3 run to close out the quarter, and Williams’ jumper gave Golden State the lead and the Chase Center came alive as the franchise was a quarter away from clinching its first title.

The 30-year-old Williams couldn’t be denied opening the fourth quarter, immediately knocking down a pull-up jumper to extend the lead.

Golden State held on to a five-point lead early in the fourth quarter but the Dream fought back, tying it up on a Gray jumper at the halfway point of the final quarter.

Both teams went back-and forth in the closing minutes with the title on the line.

As stars do in big moments, Williams knocked down a 31-foot triple to to put the Valkyries up three with just over two minutes left.

Golden State did not let up from there as they grew the lead to seven points with under a minute to go.

The Dream eventually dwindled the lead down to just three with eight seconds to go, but Williams’ jump ball win would seal the deal and violet confetti started to fall from the Chase Center ceiling.

Williams was named the Finals MVP after finishing with 30 points – 28 of them coming in the second half, a record for most points in a half in a WNBA Finals game.

“I wasn’t going to lose on Halloween,” Williams told USA Network broadcast. “Honestly, everyone here, not just the players but the staff, the community, the city, the Bay – y’all have been pouring into me all season.

“This is a long season and y’all gave me energy every single night. Tonight, we were down and I hit a shot, it felt like we were up 20. … It’s easy when the energy is just good. It was so easy coming to work every single day and thats what I came for.”

Natalie Nakase, the second-year coach, complimented the culture within the young team when asked how she helped build the squad.

“We had unconditional love that is unbreakable,” Nakase said.

“This is proof that if you put in all your heart, all your soul, you can f**king win championships.”

Golden State were awarded the franchise in 2023 and the team made its debut in 2025, finishing with a 23-21 record and becoming the first expansion franchise to make the playoffs in league history in their first year.

The Milwaukee Bucks previously held the record, winning the NBA title in 1970-71 after just three seasons.

Valkyries owner Joe Lacob is no stranger to success – he also owns the Golden State Warriors, which have won four NBA titles with him at the helm. And he made good on his promise to fans three years ago: That the team would win a title within its first five years of existence.

“We have an incredible team,” Lacob said to his players. “You guys are incredible. What you guys did was unbelievable.”

Lacob then screamed “Ballhalla” as the crowd cheered loudly.

The Dream were in the Finals for the fourth time in franchise history and are still yet to secure their first title. Gray finished with 16 points while Reese added eight points and 12 rebounds. Forward DeWanna Bonner became the first player in WNBA history to reach 600 career postseason defensive rebounds.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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