Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream fall short in Game 7 as Golden State Valkyries win first WNBA championship

Golden State Valkyries Capture First WNBA Title, Angel Reese’s Game‑7 Performance Draws Scrutiny

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Valkyries secured their first WNBA championship Thursday night, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68‑63 in Game 7 of the Finals at the Chase Center. The victory gave the franchise its inaugural title and sent the league into a celebratory, albeit bittersweet, mood.

The series, which had swung back and forth over seven games, saw the Dream holding a 2‑1 advantage after Game 3. Atlanta had dominated the early part of the series, with Angel Reese delivering a combined 51 points and 28 rebounds in that stretch. However, Golden State rallied to win the next two games, pushing the series to a decisive seventh contest.

Key moments that decided the game

The Valkyries’ clinching win was powered by veteran guard Gabby Williams, who posted 30 points—including 28 in the second half—alongside four blocks. Williams also hit a 31‑foot three‑point shot with 2:18 remaining that broke a 57‑57 tie, sealing the victory for Golden State. The shot, along with a series of efficient play from the guard, gave the team a cushion that the Dream could not overcome.

Angel Reese, the Dream’s star forward, finished the game with a modest 8 points on 3‑of‑7 shooting, 12 rebounds, and four turnovers. In the final period, her lone scoring contribution came from a free‑throw attempt with 18.6 seconds left. Over the last four games, Reese’s overall performance had been a source of criticism: she was 12‑for‑45 from the floor (26.7 %) and had committed 19 turnovers, with a personal record of more turnovers than made field goals in each of those contests. Her season average in the Finals, 14.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, reflected a decline in shooting efficiency compared to her earlier, dominant displays.

Game progression

Atlanta began the contest with a sluggish first quarter, failing to score for more than five minutes as Golden State built an early 8‑0 advantage. Reese eventually put the Dream on the board with a basket off an offensive rebound, but the Dream trailed 14‑12 after the first period.

The second quarter saw the Dream surge, with Jordin Canada adding 11 points and leading Atlanta to a 30‑24 halftime lead. However, Golden State stayed patient, and by mid‑third, the Valkyries had taken a 37‑28 lead. Williams then took over the game, pouring in the last 13 points of the period, including three triples in a 56‑second stretch.

With the game still within reach, the Dream fought back. Allisha Gray’s two free throws tied the score at 55, and a subsequent layup from Williams gave Golden State a 45‑44 edge. As the final minutes ticked down, Golden State’s lead widened again through a combination of defensive pressure and opportunistic shooting, culminating in a 66‑63 finish.

Final box score

• Golden State Valkyries: 68 points, 30‑point Gabby Williams, 13‑point Kiah Stokes (8 rebounds), 10‑point Veronica Burton (11 rebounds)
• Atlanta Dream: 63 points, 18‑point Jordin Canada, 16‑point Allisha Gray, 6‑point Rhyne Howard (3‑of‑14 shooting)

Team context and commentary

The Dream had ended the regular season as the WNBA’s top team, but the series exposed vulnerabilities, especially in the closing stages. Coach and star Angel Reese had previously spoken about the importance of mental toughness, noting that “you become one of the greats when you can win and impact winning.” Despite her early dominance in the series, her later games suggested a shift in momentum that the Dream were unable to reverse.

Gabby Williams, named Finals MVP, remarked after the game that the team’s defense and timely three‑point shooting were decisive. She said the Valkyries were “in the zone” and that the defense “kept us from letting them get comfortable.”

The championship game also made headlines for an unusual moment: both teams left the court for the national anthem, completing the seven‑game series without performing the anthem on the floor. The gesture was interpreted by some as a statement about the league’s engagement with its broader cultural context.

After the final whistle

With the championship secured, the Valkyries celebrated in front of a capacity crowd at Chase Center. The win not only cements Golden State’s place in the history books but also highlights the growing competitiveness of the WNBA’s playoff landscape.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream will reflect on a series that tested their resilience. The Dream’s final four games saw a notable drop‑off in Reese’s productivity, a factor that analysts will scrutinize as the league moves toward a new season.

The 68‑63 victory, secured in the 68th minute of a seven‑game series, will be remembered for its dramatic finish, the breakout performance by Gabby Williams, and the stark contrast between the Dream’s early dominance and their inability to close out the championship. The Valkyries’ triumph marks the culmination of a season that has seen the WNBA’s talent and intensity rise to new heights.