WNBA Finals: Golden State Claims First Title in Game 7

Gabby Williams took control of Game 7 on Saturday night, scoring 28 points in the final 20 minutes to guide the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream. The win secured the Valkyries' first WNBA championship in franchise history, ending a tight series that stretched to a decisive game.

Williams finished with 30 points, a number that included a WNBA Finals record for most points scored in a single half. Her performance earned her the Finals MVP award. After scoring just two points in the first half, Williams scored 15 points in the third quarter alone, helping the Valkyries take a 45-44 lead into the final period.

With the game tied at 53 points, Williams scored nine consecutive points to break the deadlock. The Valkyries, who trailed by six points at halftime, never lost the lead after that run. Williams credited her coach for the turnaround, noting that Natalie Nakase told her to be patient early in the game. "I listened to her," Williams said. "I love moments like this."

For the Dream, Angel Reese finished with eight points and 12 rebounds. Although Reese was limited offensively in the final game, she remained confident in her team's future. Reese stated that the group is proud of its season and vowed to return to the Finals in the coming years. "We’ll be back," Reese said, expressing gratitude to the fan base for their support throughout the year.

This championship marks the end of a journey for Williams, who previously played for the Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm. At 30 years old, she had won a college title and competed overseas before joining the Valkyries. She also represented France in the FIBA World Cup this September, where her team lost to the United States. The Golden State organization has now completed its first full season with a title, having started the franchise with only one year of existence prior to this championship run.