Second season, first crown: the Valkyries are WNBA champions

Two seasons ago, the Golden State Valkyries did not exist. On Saturday night at a roaring Chase Center in San Francisco, they became WNBA champions, beating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a winner-take-all Game 7 — the first the Finals have needed since the best-of-seven format began in 2025. Gabby Williams carried them home, scoring 30 points with 28 of them after halftime, adding four blocks and taking the Finals MVP award at age 30. Atlanta fought to the last minute — Jordin Canada scored 18 points and Angel Reese pulled down 12 rebounds — but the second-year team held its nerve when everything rested on one game.