The Golden State Valkyries secured their first WNBA championship with a thrilling 68-63 win over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 at the Chase Center. Despite a strong start in the series, Angel Reese struggled in the finals, scoring one point in the last period of the decisive game.
Throughout the final four games, Reese faced challenges with her shooting and turnovers. Over these four games, she made 12 of 45 field goal attempts (26.7%) and committed 19 turnovers, with more turnovers than successful shots in each game. The series had begun with Reese dominating in Games 2 and 3, amassing a combined 51 points and 28 rebounds.
Golden State guard Gabby Williams took the spotlight, scoring 30 points in Game 7 and earning the Finals MVP title. Williams delivered 28 points in the second half, with a crucial 31-foot three-pointer breaking a 57-57 tie and giving the Valkyries the lead they maintained until the end.
During the series, both teams continued their decision to leave the court for the national anthem performances. This marked the end of a closely contested finals, where Atlanta had led 2-1 but saw Golden State winning the next two games. Atlanta pushed for a Game 7 after a significant victory, fueled by Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard’s combined efforts, yet Reese’s shooting woes persisted.
In the deciding game, Jordin Canada stepped up for the Dream, scoring 18 points. However, Reese’s second-quarter three-pointer, which briefly gave the Dream their first lead, was among her few impactful moments after halftime. Golden State built an 8-0 lead early on, but Atlanta soon recovered, trailing by only two points at the end of the first quarter.
As the game progressed, Atlanta managed to secure a lead by halftime, yet Williams’s performance in the third quarter shifted momentum. She scored Golden State’s last 13 points of the quarter, overtaking Reese’s responses to tie the game. Entering the final quarter, Golden State held a narrow lead.
The closing minutes saw Williams excel under pressure. Her key plays included a driving layup and a pivotal three-pointer that left Atlanta unable to recover. Despite Atlanta’s attempts to close the gap with free throws, missed opportunities, like Gray’s missed layup, and crucial rebounds by Kiah Stokes helped seal the victory for the Valkyries.
In the end, Angel Reese acknowledged her criteria for greatness: winning and influencing the outcome. While Reese had previously positioned Atlanta in a strong place for victory, her difficulties in later games limited their success. Nonetheless, the season ended with high anticipation for future achievements.
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