SAN FRANCISCO ― The Golden State Valkyries have captured their first WNBA championship after taking down the Atlanta Dream 66-61 in Game 7 of the 2026 WNBA Finals.
Valkyries guard Gabby Williams was named the 2026 WNBA Finals MVP after a monster performance in Game 7 to close the chapter on the 2026 season.
Williams had her best game of the series, really the entire postseason. She scored 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting from the field which included 4-of-8 (50%) on 3-point field goals. She was a perfect 6-of-6 on free throws.
Defensively, Williams showed why she was selected to the WNBA All-defense first team. She tallied four blocks and two steals in Game 7 against Atlanta.
Williams tied her teammate Veronica Burton and WNBA legend Diana Taurasi
for most blocks in a single WNBA finals game for a guard.
The 30-year-old guard did a lot of her damage in the third quarter where she scored 15 points in the period to provide a surge, giving the Valkyries life as they took control of the contest.
Williams averaged 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game. She didn't have the most efficient series, shooting 30%, but still Williams was the driving force of the Valkyries offense.
The Valkyries would go as far as Williams could take them and she led them to their first WNBA title.
Williams signed with Golden State during the offseason, as the Valkyries looked to bring in someone who can score, creating their own shot. Williams served her role well throughout the regular-season and through the playoffs.
Gabby Williams 2026 WNBA Finals stats
Here are Gabby Williams' average stats through 6 games in the 2026 WNBA Finals:
- Points: 17.8
- Rebounds: 3.7
- Assists: 2.8
- Steals: 2.7
- Blocks: 0.2
- Field Goal Percentage: 30.4%
- 3-Point Percentage: 22.7%
- Free Throw Percentage: 87.9%
- Minutes: 33.6
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Valkyries guard Gabby Williams named 2026 WNBA Finals MVP
