Gabby Williams produced a historic 30-point performance to lead the Golden State Valkyries to their first WNBA championship with a dramatic 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the Finals.
The 29-year-old delivered when it mattered most, scoring 28 of her 30 points in the second half to inspire Golden State to victory in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history.
The championship marked an extraordinary achievement for the Valkyries, who secured the title in only their second season as a franchise despite entering the campaign without an established collection of superstar players.
Williams was named Finals MVP after delivering one of the most remarkable individual performances in the competition’s history, silencing doubts about the team’s lack of star power.
Her 30 points equalled the record for the highest individual scoring total in a winner-takes-all WNBA Finals game, while her 28 second-half points established a new record for the most points scored in a single half of a WNBA postseason game.
Speaking after the victory, Williams reflected on the criticism Golden State had received since entering the league, insisting that the team’s strength had always been its collective mentality.
“All we heard last year, ‘We don’t have no stars, we don’t have no talent.’ Yeah, right,” Williams told the USA Network broadcast after being named Finals MVP.
“We’ve got good people. We’ve got winners. We have people who are ready to put their bodies on the floor to win a game. … We just build a beautiful culture here.”
The Valkyries also made history by becoming the first team to win the WNBA championship without having a single player named to the All-WNBA teams during that season.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, they also became only the third franchise across the NBA, BAA and WNBA to win a championship within its first two seasons.
Williams takes control after difficult first half
The victory was particularly impressive considering how Golden State struggled offensively during the opening stages.
The Atlanta Dream took a 30-24 advantage into halftime, while Williams’ team had difficulty finding consistent scoring opportunities.
However, the game changed dramatically after the break as the Valkyries forward took responsibility and produced an extraordinary individual display.
Williams scored 15 consecutive points across the third and fourth quarters, becoming the first player in WNBA history to achieve that feat in a Finals game.
She also single-handedly outscored Atlanta 15-14 in the third quarter, bringing Golden State back into contention and giving the home crowd renewed belief.
Her scoring burst included three consecutive Golden State possessions on which she converted three-pointers, sending the violet-clad supporters inside Ballhalla into celebration.
Williams eventually finished with 10 successful shots from 23 attempts, including four three-pointers from eight attempts. She also converted all six of her free throws.
Beyond her offensive contribution, she recorded four blocks, three rebounds, two steals and two assists, while holding Atlanta’s players to just two successful shots from nine attempts when serving as their primary defender.
The decisive moment arrived with 2:18 remaining when Williams converted her fourth three-pointer to give Golden State the lead for good.
Atlanta remained competitive until the closing moments, but the Valkyries’ defence ensured the Dream could not complete another comeback.
Golden State restricted its opponents to 33 per cent shooting from the field and just 20 per cent from beyond the three-point line.
Coach Nakase and teammates praise Finals MVP
Williams’ performance earned widespread praise from Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase, who described her as the team’s most important player throughout the championship run.
“Gabby is our closer,” Nakase said.
“Closing with 30, I mean, that’s f—ing incredible. And to me, the MVP is the Finals MVP. That means you’ve got to play through the playoffs. You’ve got to grind. You’ve got to go through a seven-game series. She’s the most valuable player in the world, hands down.”
Valkyries owner Joe Lacob also praised the forward, highlighting her contribution both on and off the court.
“She’s been everything and more. She’s a tremendous person as well as an incredible player.”
Williams, whose career scoring average remained below 10 points per game before this remarkable Finals series, had also registered 26 points in Games 1 and 6.
She recorded three 25-point performances during the series, matching the WNBA record for the most 25-point games by an individual player in a single Finals.
Her teammate Kiah Stokes, who previously won a national championship alongside Williams at UConn in 2015, was delighted to see her deliver on the biggest stage.
“I’m just glad that tonight she showed who she really can be because she’s been our leader, she’s been our offense, the head of it all season,” Stokes said.
“And for her to just come out tonight, Game 7, do or die, everything on the line, and she showed up and showed out.”
From defensive role player to WNBA champion
Williams’ championship success represented the culmination of a career that had taken several different directions.
Selected fourth overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft after playing college basketball at UConn, she spent her first seven professional seasons with the Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm.
Although she established herself as an outstanding defensive player, she was largely viewed as a supporting option rather than a leading offensive threat.
However, her performances overseas, particularly while representing France internationally, demonstrated that she possessed considerably more attacking ability.
Her performances also attracted the attention of Lacob, who personally recruited her while she was playing in Turkey during the offseason.
That decision proved crucial as Williams became the driving force behind Golden State’s championship campaign.
She also credited Nakase’s encouragement for helping her remain patient during the difficult opening half of Game 7.
“Nat told me to stay patient,” Williams said.
“I trust her. I trust her with my life. … Just said, ‘Stay patient. Stay patient. The game’s going to open up for you,’ and it did.”
The championship celebrations provided another memorable moment when television host Elle Duncan asked Williams about her new favourite word during the trophy ceremony.
Earlier in the playoffs, the forward had entertained supporters with a call-and-response celebration inspired by rapper Too $hort.
This time, following the biggest achievement of her professional career, her answer was simple: champ.
For Golden State, the victory represented more than a championship. It was proof that a franchise built without an established collection of superstars could reach the top through teamwork, defensive commitment and a winning culture.
Williams’ historic performance ensured that the Valkyries’ second season would end with the WNBA trophy and a place in the league’s history books.
