Overview
- The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68–63 in a winner-take-all Game 7 Saturday at Chase Center to capture the 2026 WNBA championship and become the first expansion team in U.S. pro sports to win a title in its second season.
- Gabby Williams scored 30 points with 28 coming in the second half, set a WNBA postseason single-half scoring mark, averaged about 19.6 points across the Finals and was named 2026 Finals MVP.
- The series was defense-driven and low-scoring, decided by rebounding and turnovers, with Angel Reese finishing Game 7 with eight points and 12 rebounds and publicly pledging that the Dream will come back stronger.
- The Valkyries began public celebrations, announced a Wednesday parade route across the Bay, and received praise from figures including Michael Jordan and Stephen Curry as the club prepares for offseason roster choices with several contracts expiring.
- Questions that followed the Finals include the WNBA’s handling of shared-arena scheduling after an early Game 6, and heated social-media reaction to comments comparing the outcome to Caitlin Clark’s prospects.