Valkyries Win

Williams scored 28 of those 30 points after halftime, including the three that put Golden State ahead 60-57 with just over two minutes left, according to BBC News. Free throws from Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton sealed it. She was named Finals MVP. Only Penny Taylor has also scored 30 or more points in a winner-take-all finals game, ABC News reported.

Saturday's result capped the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. More than 18,000 fans packed San Francisco's Chase Center for the sellout, BBC News said. Golden State trailed 30-24 at the half. Then Williams closed the third quarter with her team's final 11 points and carried the fourth, according to ABC News.

The Valkyries, formed in 2024, had split the first six games of the series. Atlanta forced Game 7 by routing Golden State 80-69 on Thursday, a game the Dream led by 25 points behind 23 points from Allisha Gray and 21 from Rhyne Howard, according to NBC News. Burton called that Game 6 start "unacceptable," NBC News reported.

Jordin Canada scored 18 for Atlanta in Game 7. Gray added 16. Angel Reese posted eight points and 12 rebounds, ABC News reported. Howard tied the score at 57 on a layup with 2:41 left. Williams answered with the deciding three. Kiah Stokes grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked two shots, becoming a four-time WNBA champion, according to ABC News.

It was the fourth finals defeat in the Dream's 18-year history, BBC News reported.

At halftime, coach Natalie Nakase told Williams the game would open up for her. "Nat told me to stay patient, I trust her with my life," Williams said, according to ABC News. "I stayed patient."

Reese still believes in her team. "And just because we didn't win today doesn't mean that we won't be champions in the future," she said, according to BBC News.