The Golden State Valkyries are WNBA champions. In the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history, the Valkyries came back from a halftime deficit to beat the Atlanta Dream 68-63 at Chase Center on Saturday night. It is the first championship in franchise history, and it comes in only the Valkyries’ second season.
Atlanta Led at the Half
This one was a grind from the start. Atlanta missed its first eight shots, and Golden State led 14-12 after the first quarter. The Dream took over in the second quarter, outscoring the Valkyries 18-10 to take a 30-24 lead into halftime. After Game 6, it looked like Atlanta might have the momentum to finish the job.
Golden State Took It Back
The Valkyries won the third quarter 21-14 to take a 45-44 lead into the fourth, and they won the fourth 23-19 to close it out. Golden State made 15 of 16 free throws, and that mattered in a five-point game. Atlanta made just 6 of 30 three-pointers after making 13 in Game 6. The Valkyries also blocked eight shots.
Who Showed Up
- Gabby Williams: 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting, including 4 of 8 from three, plus 6 of 6 from the line and four blocks. She was the best player on the floor.
- Kiah Stokes: eight points and 13 rebounds.
- Veronica Burton: a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, plus five assists. After going 2 of 13 in Game 6, she found other ways to help.
- Tiffany Hayes: 11 points.
- For Atlanta: Jordin Canada led the Dream with 18 points, and Allisha Gray added 16. Angel Reese had eight points and 12 rebounds, and Rhyne Howard was held to six points on 3-of-14 shooting.
My Pick
In my Game 7 preview, I picked the Dream 73-70. I thought Atlanta’s momentum from Game 6 would carry over, and for a half it did. But Golden State’s defense won this series, and it won Game 7 too. I had the wrong team.
The Series
| Game | Date | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sat., Oct. 17 | San Francisco | Valkyries 68, Dream 64 |
| Game 2 | Mon., Oct. 19 | San Francisco | Dream 79, Valkyries 65 |
| Game 3 | Wed., Oct. 21 | Atlanta | Dream 97, Valkyries 71 |
| Game 4 | Sat., Oct. 24 | Atlanta | Valkyries 67, Dream 62 |
| Game 5 | Mon., Oct. 26 | San Francisco | Valkyries 64, Dream 55 |
| Game 6 | Thu., Oct. 29 | Atlanta | Dream 80, Valkyries 69 |
| Game 7 | Sat., Oct. 31 | San Francisco | Valkyries 68, Dream 63 |
A Title in Year Two
A year ago, the Valkyries became the first expansion team in WNBA history to make the playoffs in its first season. Now they are champions in their second. Atlanta made Golden State earn it, and I was in the building for Game 6 when the Dream were at their best. But the Valkyries won the last game, and that is the one that counts.
Congratulations to Golden State. What a series.
Featured photo: Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries by John Mac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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