Valkyries beat Dream in Game 7 to win first WNBA title

The Golden State Valkyries won their first WNBA championship, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the Finals on October 31. The title came in the franchise’s second season and the first WNBA Finals series to reach a deciding seventh game. Gabby Williams led Golden State with 30 points and was named Finals MVP. After scoring two points in the first half, she added a Finals-record 28 in the second, helping the Valkyries overcome a six-point halftime deficit. She scored 15 in the third quarter, including the team’s final 11 points, as Golden State moved ahead 45-44. The Dream drew level at 57 in the fourth quarter, but Williams answered with a three-pointer to put Golden State ahead 60-57 with 2:18 remaining. She added two free throws, and Kiah Stokes scored a late basket. Atlanta had another chance after Allisha Gray made two free throws with 11 seconds left, but Veronica Burton secured a jump ball and made two free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining. Burton finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Stokes recorded 13 rebounds and two blocks, while Tiffany Hayes scored 11 points. The Valkyries won despite making five of 20 three-point attempts. For...