Valkyries win WNBA title in second season, beating Atlanta 68-63

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 on Saturday night to claim the WNBA championship in their second season of existence.

The victory marked a rapid rise for the Bay Area franchise. Three years ago, the league granted the region an expansion team. At that time, owner Joe Lacob set a goal for his squad to win a title within five years. The team missed that timeline by only three years. They became the first expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in their debut season last year. This year, they secured the second seed in the regular season.

The path to the final was not straightforward. The Valkyries trailed the Dream 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Coach Natalie Nakase made a tactical adjustment to the starting lineup. She inserted guard Kaila Charles into the starting five. The team overcame the deficit to force a decisive Game 7. The win in the deciding game made this the first seven-game series in WNBA Finals history.

The team’s performance on the court was led by veteran talent. Point guard Veronica Burton struggled to speak after the final buzzer due to emotion. Tiffany Hayes, a 14-year veteran who came out of retirement to join the Valkyries, celebrated with visible intensity. Hayes said, "This is just what happens when you invest in women's sports. Valkyries, we here baby, we here, we here and we ain't going nowhere! Invest in women's sports, baby, let's go!" She added that the win was amazing and words could not describe the feeling.

Gabby Williams earned Finals MVP honors. She scored 30 points in the deciding game, including 28 points in the second half. Williams noted the genuine support the team receives from the city. She sees Valkyries gear everywhere she goes. Kaila Charles highlighted the acceptance the team received from San Francisco residents. Charles said she found a home in the city within one week of arriving last year. She stated that the mutual love between the team and the city helped them fight through the series.

Owner Joe Lacob expressed awe at the fan base. He noted that the team has sold out every game at Chase Center since opening day. Lacob called the home atmosphere "Ballhalla" and said the fan support is something he cannot buy. He credited President Jess Smith, general manager Ohemaa Nyanin, and coach Natalie Nakase for the team's success. Lacob said he takes credit only for hiring them. He described their work as spectacular.

Nakase, who met Lacob for a late breakfast in Las Vegas two years ago, acknowledged the owner's role in providing resources. She described herself as impatient and obsessive because Lacob pushes her to perform. Nakase said, "I didn't score one basket. Thank you, I appreciate it. Without you guys, we wouldn't be (here)." After her postgame interview, she took time to shake hands with media members individually.

The team is scheduled to hold a victory parade along San Francisco's bay front on Wednesday afternoon. Lacob plans to hoist the championship trophy, a dream he has held for three decades. He will need to find space for the new hardware next to four NBA titles his Golden State Warriors have won. Lacob said he is not yet thinking about planning for the next season. He intends to enjoy the moment before considering the future.

The parade will take place in the same city that embraced the team from the start. The Valkyries have built a welcoming culture in an arena that has become a top home destination in the league. The franchise now stands as a competitive force after a short history. The championship trophy is in San Francisco. The next public celebration is set for Wednesday.