Golden State Valkyries claim first WNBA title with 68-63 win over Atlanta
The expansion franchise defeated the Dream in Game 7 of the Finals, achieving a championship goal two years ahead of the owner's five-year target.
By Yuna Fletcher ·
Golden State owner Joe Lacob set a five-year timeline for his new WNBA franchise to win a championship during its announcement in 2023. The team achieved that goal on Saturday when the Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals in San Francisco. The victory marks the first title in franchise history, arriving two years earlier than Lacob's original projection.
Head coach Natalie Nakase interviewed for the job in October 2024. She recalled that Lacob spent the first ten minutes of the conversation explaining his high standards and work ethic. Near the end of the interview, Lacob reiterated his goal to win a championship in five years. Nakase slammed her fists on the table and declared, "Hell yeah, we're gonna win a championship."
Nakase and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin built the roster around a defensive identity characterized by low egos and high intensity. They selected Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton in the 2024 expansion draft, adding Cecilia Zandalasini. The team signed Tiffany Hayes in free agency and drafted Juste Jocyte with the No. 5 pick in 2025, a 19-year-old from Lithuania who played overseas that season.
The Valkyries made history in 2025 by becoming the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its first season. Although they were swept by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round, the run attracted key free agents. Gabby Williams, who had been under contract with the Seattle Storm, signed with Golden State in 2026. Lacob pitched Williams on the team's potential for longevity, stating, "This is why we are going to win.. I want to build dynasties here."
The following day, the Valkyries acquired Kiah Stokes. She had spent four seasons with Las Vegas, winning three titles. Stokes started every game in the 2026 season, including the playoffs, where she defended Angel Reese. Her defensive impact included 31 blocks in the postseason, a figure tied with Lisa Leslie for the most in WNBA history.
Williams led the team in the Finals, earning Finals MVP honors after a dominant performance in Game 7. She averaged a career-best 14.4 points per game during the regular season and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The Valkyries held opponents to a league-low 75.1 points per game in the regular season, ranking first in the league on defense.
Nakase implemented a three-day training camp focused exclusively on defense before allowing players to shoot or run offense. She established a culture that prioritized defensive intensity and attention to detail. The coach admitted her communication issues caused the team to trail 2-1 in the Finals series. She gave herself an F-minus grade after three games and consulted with her players to adjust her approach.
Nakase made a lineup change before Game 4, inserting Tiffany Hayes and Kaila Charles in place of Thornton and Zandalasini. The adjustment shifted momentum, leading to victories in Games 4 and 5. Charles posted a plus-14 plus/minus in Game 4, while Hayes scored 13 points. Nakase noted that the team's lack of ego allowed for such changes, stating, "The best thing about our team is no one cares who starts."
The team's composure was evident during a late-game deficit in Game 3 against the Dallas Wings. Thornton gathered Burton, Williams, and Charles in a huddle to focus on the moment. Nyanin observed the huddle from the tunnel and confirmed that the players' willingness to fight for one another validated the roster construction. The Valkyries have now secured a championship two years ahead of schedule.
Source: ESPN
