Gabby Williams scored 30 points, including the Valkyries’ final 11 points of the third quarter, as Golden State beat the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday night at Chase Center. It is the franchise’s first title in just its second season.
Jordin Canada led Atlanta with 18 points, and Allisha Gray added 16. Angel Reese had eight points and 12 rebounds for the Dream, who lost in the Finals for the fourth time in franchise history.
The game was tied at 57 with 2:41 left after a layup by Rhyne Howard. Williams answered with a 3-pointer, then made two free throws with 1:40 remaining. Kiah Stokes added a late basket, and Williams finished with 13 rebounds and two blocks.
Veronica Burton sealed the win with two free throws with 5.1 seconds left, after Atlanta forced a jump ball between Gray and Williams.
Williams grew up in the Bay Area, where she played youth basketball, and she joined Golden State after leaving Seattle. Fans chanted her name through the fourth quarter. When the final buzzer sounded, a sellout crowd in violet celebrated on the floor as confetti fell from the rafters.
