Gabby Williams leads Golden State Valkyries to first WNBA title
The forward scored 28 points in the second half of a 68-63 Game 7 victory over the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center.
By Samuel Hayes ·
The Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA championship on Saturday night.
Forward Gabby Williams scored 28 points in the second half of the final game. That total set a record for the most points scored in a single half of a WNBA postseason game.
The team defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 at Chase Center, a venue known locally as Ballhalla.
Williams was named the MVP of the 2026 WNBA Finals for her performance.
In an interview with Good Morning America on Monday, Williams discussed how the team handled the pressure of the final game. She noted that the Valkyries were down by six points at one stage but remained confident. The team prioritized defense, keeping the Dream to fewer than 40 points, which Williams said gave her a sense of control.
The 30-year-old athlete credited the team's culture for their success. She explained that the staff hired players who fit that specific environment. Williams said she had played on teams with star players before but felt the group dynamic in Golden State was different. She described the current roster as a good group of people who took the team further than previous high-profile squads.
Williams also praised head coach Natalie Nakase for her competitive nature. The forward said Nakase is competitive in every aspect of her life, including how she treats people and shows up to work. Williams described the coach as a leader by example who cares deeply about each person on the team. She said the players feel motivated to perform well for Nakase because of that personal connection.
This is the second season the Valkyries have competed in the league. They entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed. The team secured the title with a defensive performance that held the Dream to 63 total points.
