Game 7: gabby williams leads valkyries past dream, beating 68 to 63 for WNBA championship in second season

Williams takes over late

Williams scored Golden State’s last 11 points of the third quarter and finished with 30. She continued to make crucial plays in the fourth, including a three-pointer after Rhyne Howard tied the game at 57 with 2:41 remaining.

Williams later made two free throws with 1:40 left, and Kiah Stokes added a basket late. Stokes finished with 13 rebounds and two blocks, capping what the report described as a strong postseason.

Final seconds decide Game 7

The Dream had a chance to extend the contest in the closing seconds. Gray made two free throws with 11 seconds remaining, and Atlanta then forced a jump ball between Gray and Williams.

Veronica Burton secured the ball and made two free throws with 5.1 seconds left. Golden State held on for the 68-63 victory as the crowd at Chase Center celebrated beneath falling confetti.

A title in Year Two

The Valkyries won a championship in their second season, three years after the Bay Area received an expansion team. Owner Joe Lacob had said the franchise would win a title within its first five years.

Atlanta’s lead fades

Atlanta led 30-24 at halftime, continuing a pattern from the first six games: the team ahead at the break had won each one. But the Dream could not preserve that advantage in Game 7.

The report also noted that Atlanta was 16-0 this season when Reese made at least one three-pointer. DeWanna Bonner reached 600 career postseason defensive rebounds, becoming the first player in WNBA history to do so.