Gabby Williams leads Golden State to victory

Gabby Williams, a French national, led the Golden State Valkyries to a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA finals on Saturday, securing her first championship title. Her standout performance included scoring 30 points, with an impressive 28 of those coming in the second half.

A record-breaking second half

Williams set a new record for points scored in a single half of a WNBA final, achieving 28 points in the second half. This performance earned her the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title for the finals, marking a historic moment in her career.

Williams' emotional celebration

After the game, Williams expressed her joy, saying, "I love moments like this!" She credited her coach, Natalie Nakase, for advising patience in the first half, which she followed and found rewarding. She wore a cap with "Champions" written on it, celebrating her team's victory.

A Halloween triumph

Williams made her presence felt throughout the game, including a memorable sequence of three consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter. She capped her performance with a long-range shot in the final minutes, contributing to the Valkyries' win in front of a crowd of more than 18,000 fans.

Team culture and determination

Williams highlighted the team's strong culture, stating that her teammates were willing to do anything to win. She emphasized the importance of heart and effort, saying the victory was a message to those who have been underestimated or misunderstood.

A hard-fought final

The game was closely contested, with both teams winning three matches each before the final showdown. The Valkyries started strong with an 8-0 run, but the Dream responded with a 21-6 run to take the lead. Ultimately, Williams' performance turned the tide in favor of the Valkyries.

Atlanta's fourth loss in finals

Atlanta's star player, Angel Reese, expressed disappointment after the loss, saying it was "really very difficult" but vowing the team would return stronger. The Valkyries claimed their first WNBA title in their two-year history, while Atlanta faced their fourth consecutive defeat in the finals.