Valkyries make history with shocking WNBA Finals fact

The Golden State Valkyries have now etched themselves into bonafide WNBA history in multiple ways after winning Game 7 against the Atlanta Dream, 68-63. Gabby Williams was chosen as the Finals MVP after a monster 30-point performance, 28 of which came in the second half, a Finals record.

What is even more impressive is the fact that the Valkyries became the first team to win the title despite having no all-WNBA selection this season, per a post on X by Alexa Philippou. Of course, that is hardly where the list of achievements end.

Golden State won the title in only their second year of existence, which is the quickest title run in North American sports, beating the Milwaukee Bucks, who won the NBA title in the 1970-71 season in their third year of existence. The Valkyries also became the first expansion team to qualify for the postseason in both their first and second years.

Meanwhile, Kiah Stokes finished the Finals with 19 blocks, the most by a WNBA player in a postseason series. In what was an extremely low-scoring affair, Williams carried Golden State on her back, with the only other Valkyries player to score in double digits being the likes of Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton.

The Dream, who struggled to land shots all night against an extremely physica and intense defence, saw Jordin Canada top-scoring with 18 points, while Allisha Gray had 16 and Angel Reese finished shy of another double-double, with eight points and 12 rebounds.

The Valkyries struggled in the first half, returning with a 10-point deficit before WIlliams took matters in her own hand, scoring 28 of her team’s 44 points. That included 15 points in the third quarter and another 13 in the fourth to seal the deal in front of the home crowd at Chase Center.