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Valkyries clairvoyant owner, Cathy Engelbert among WNBA Finals winners and losers

The Golden State Valkyries made history as the WNBA’s first expansion team to win a championship in just their second season, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68–63 in a thrilling Game 7 on October 31. Gabby Williams delivered a career-defining performance with 30 points—including 28 in the second half—to lead her team back from a six-point halftime deficit and earn Finals MVP honors.

Her clutch scoring capped a season fueled by relentless teamwork, as the Valkyries became the league’s first title-winning roster without a single All-WNBA player, with standout contributions from Tiffany Hayes (11 points), Veronica Burton (10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), and Kiah Stokes (8 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks). The victory also fulfilled a bold prediction from owner Joe Lacob, who vowed in 2023 that the franchise would win a title within five years—a claim that now stands as the fastest expansion-team championship in WNBA history.

Coach Natalie Nakase’s leadership and the support of the entire organization, from players to the San Francisco community, were pivotal in overcoming the Dream’s strong late-game push, including Angel Reese’s 12 rebounds and 8 points despite four turnovers. Reese, though defeated, praised her opponents’ resilience and vowed the Dream would return stronger, embodying the league’s competitive spirit even in loss.

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