Golden State Valkyries defeat Atlanta Dream To Lift First WNBA Championship in Second Season

The Golden State Valkyries have officially made history, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68–63 in Game 7 to capture the 2026 WNBA Championship. In just their second season of existence, the Valkyries completed an extraordinary championship run by winning the decisive game at Chase Center on October 31. Golden State became one of the fastest expansion franchises in American professional sports history to capture a championship, accomplishing something that few could have predicted when the franchise entered the league.

Gabby Williams delivered a legendary performance when her team needed her most, scoring a game-high 30 points in the championship-clinching victory. Williams erupted for 28 second-half points, taking over offensively and helping Golden State overcome an Atlanta team that had controlled much of the first half. Her performance capped an outstanding Finals series and earned her the 2026 WNBA Finals MVP award. She averaged 19.6 points and 2.6 steals throughout the series.

For Atlanta, the defeat marked another heartbreaking championship opportunity slipping away. The Dream had taken a 2–1 series lead after winning Game 3, but Golden State refused to surrender. Angel Reese made history during the series, becoming the first player in WNBA Finals history to record at least 100 points and 50 rebounds in a single Finals series. Despite the loss, Reese's historic production demonstrated her impact and gave Atlanta something to build upon moving forward.

The Valkyries now enter the history books as 2026 champions, accomplishing the ultimate goal in only their second year of existence. Their championship represents a remarkable organizational achievement, while Atlanta must now evaluate what prevented its championship pursuit from ending differently. Seven games, two determined teams and one historic winner. The Golden State Valkyries have officially reached the mountaintop of the WNBA.