Golden State wins first WNBA title

The Golden State Valkyries clinched their first-ever WNBA championship by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the finals on Saturday. This marked a historic moment for the team, which is in its second season in the league.

Gabby Williams shines in victory

French forward Gabby Williams was the standout player of the game, scoring a total of 30 points. Her performance included a remarkable 28 points in the second half, a record for any player in a WNBA finals game.

Williams celebrates with a "Champions" cap

Williams was named the most valuable player of the finals and wore a cap with the word "Champions" written on it after the game. She also hit three consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter and made a long-range shot with 2 minutes and 19 seconds remaining, helping secure the victory.

Williams reflects on team culture

In a post-game interview, Williams said, "I wasn't going to lose on Halloween!" She praised the Valkyries' team culture, emphasizing their focus on defense and rebounding rather than just scoring points. She also said the win was a message to those who have been underestimated.

Coach praises patience and effort

Williams' coach, Natalie Nakase, expressed her joy over the win, saying, "I love moments like this!" She credited Williams for following her advice to be patient in the first half, which ultimately paid off in the second half.

Game was tightly contested

The championship game was closely contested, with Golden State opening the match with an 8-0 run. Atlanta responded with a strong 21-6 run to take the lead, but Williams took control of the game and led her team to victory.

Atlanta's Angel Reese expresses disappointment

Atlanta's star player Angel Reese expressed deep disappointment after the loss, saying it was "really very difficult" but adding that the team would return stronger. This marked the fourth time Atlanta had failed to win the championship.