The Golden State Valkyries won the WNBA Finals tonight.
This team, in only its second year of existence, beat the Atlanta Dream in a nail-biting Game 7, 68-63.
This was always going to be a game of firsts: the first time the WNBA Finals has ever gone to a Game 7, and – for whichever team prevailed – the first time that franchise would win the WNBA title. Tonight, that franchise was the Golden State Valkyries.
In a series that was already down to the wire – a Game 7 – this one would be decided in the last few minutes of play. The teams were tied with just minutes to go.
But it didn’t start that way. The Valkyries defense came out as intense as the crowd at Ballhalla. And the crowd at Ballhalla was screaming their lungs off. In the early minutes of the game the starting five had five blocks, a steal and forced a shot clock violation. Atlanta didn’t score for the first five minutes of the game.
The Valkyries 8-0 lead was quickly erased as Golden State struggled to match the Dream’s shooting. They finished the first quarter having missed every single shot from beyond the arc. But the Valkyries had more luck driving towards the basket and putting up unlikely midrange floaters that somehow went in the net. The score at the end of the first: 14-12, Valkyries.
From there, the Dream took the lead and held it late into the third. That’s when Gabby WIlliams went three for three from deep followed by a floater that put Golden State on top.
On the Dream side it was Jordin Canada who had the Valkyries number. Her speed in transition and her shot-making led Atlanta. But she was no match for Williams who led the game with 30 points, two steals, and four blocks, prompting the crowd to shout “Gabby! Gabby! Gabby!” Williams’ 30 points are tied for the most in a winner-take-all finals match in WNBA history.
The crowd at Ballhalla always loves a blocked shot but lately they scream even louder when their number one block queen gets a basket. After Kiah Stokes’ 13 points in Game 5, Valkyries fans can’t get enough of her offensive contribution. Tonight she had eight points and led the team with rebounds.
Ballhalla also loves to sing along to “What’s Going On” by the 4 Non Blondes, which they did with abandon during a coach’s challenge in the fourth quarter.
As the game came down to the last seconds, the crowd went absolutely wild. Everyone on their feet, towels waving, Ballhalla throbbing with noise.
Then the clock wound down. It was history.