Reporting by Tommy Call III, Warriors Wire
In only their second season in franchise history, the Golden State Valkyries hosted Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream in a winner-take-all Game 7 to decide the WNBA Championship.
While the Valkyries opened the game with an early lead throughout the first quarter, momentum swung in favor of the Dream in the second quarter. The Dream’s lead grew to as many as nine points in the third quarter.
However, Gabby Williams wouldn’t let the Dream close out the Valkyries in the Bay Area. The All-Star forward tallied 13 points in the fourth quarter to go along with fiery 28 points in the second half. Behind Williams, the Valkyries stormed back to take the lead and run away with a 68-63 win in Game 7.
In only their second season in the WNBA, the Valkyries were crowned WNBA champions for the first time in franchise history.
Who led the Golden State Valkyries to victory?
Williams notched 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting from the field with four made 3-pointers to go along with four blocks, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 38 minutes on her way to winning WNBA Finals MVP.
Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton each scored in double-figures for the Valkyries. Burton registered a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in Game 7 against the Dream.
Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg was in attendance and got to meet Williams after the game.
The Valkyries’ defense held Reese to eight points on 3-of-7 shooting from the field with a game-high four turnovers. Reese added 12 boards, two blocks and an assist in 33 minutes. Jordin Canada and Allisha Gray were the only members of the Dream to score in double figures.
Chase Center will have to clean up the confetti and re-open their doors on Sunday when the Warriors host the Los Angeles Clippers for contest at 5:30 p.m. in San Francisco.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire.
Related: Meet Vanessa Monaco, the desert’s most prolific high school quarterback
