Valkyries Overcome Halftime Deficit to Claim WNBA Title

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 on Saturday night to capture the WNBA championship. The victory marked the franchise's first title in just its second season of play.

The Dream led 30-24 at halftime, extending a series trend where the team holding the halftime lead had won every previous game. However, a shift in Golden State's strategy during the second half turned the momentum. Gabby Williams scored 30 points, including the team's final 11 points of the third quarter. She hit a clutch three-pointer with 2:41 remaining to pull ahead after Rhyne Howard had tied the game at 57.

Jordin Canada contributed 18 points and Allisha Gray added 16 for the Dream. Angel Reese recorded eight points and 12 rebounds in the loss. In the closing seconds, Gray made two free throws with 11 seconds left. Atlanta then forced a jump ball, which Veronica Burton secured. Burton converted the resulting free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining to seal the win.

"I'm just so blessed, this is insane!" Burton said. The guard was cut by the Dallas team two years prior to this season.

Kiah Stokes finished with 13 rebounds and two blocked shots, capping a strong postseason performance. Natalie Nakase, the Valkyries coach, changed the starting lineup after falling behind 2-1 in the series. She inserted Kaila Charles and Tiffany Hayes while moving Kayla Thornton and Cecilia Zandalasini to the bench. The adjustment proved effective in the decisive final game.

Tiffany Hayes, a 37-year-old guard who returned from retirement two years ago, scored 11 points in Game 7. Hayes spent 10 seasons with the Dream before joining Golden State. Her energy throughout the series was a key factor for the coaching staff.

Joe Lacob, owner of the Valkyries, had guaranteed a championship within the first five years when the franchise was granted an expansion team three years ago. The team achieved that goal in its second year after becoming the first expansion organization to reach the playoffs in its inaugural 2025 season.

The final buzzer triggered a celebration among the sellout crowd at Chase Center. Players sprinted onto the court as confetti fell. During the victory ceremony, Lacob praised the team and its leaders. He also thanked the fans for selling out every home game since the franchise's start. Co-owner Peter Guber stated, "We gotta build a bigger trophy case."