Golden State Valkyries win 2026 WNBA Championship in second season

The Golden State Valkyries won the 2026 WNBA Championship on Saturday, Oct. 31, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7. The victory, achieved in the franchise's second season, took place before a sold-out crowd at Chase Center.

Game 7 details

The championship was decided in a winner-take-all Game 7 following a 3-3 series tie. Gabby Williams scored 30 points for the Valkyries, including a clutch three-pointer and two free throws in the fourth quarter. Kiah Stokes contributed 13 rebounds and two blocks.

For the Atlanta Dream, Allisha Gray scored 16 points and Jordin Canada scored 18 points. Angel Reese recorded eight points and 12 rebounds. The Dream's DeWanna Bonner became the first player in WNBA history to reach 600 career postseason defensive rebounds.

Franchise milestones

The Valkyries' victory marks the first WNBA title for the franchise in its second year of operation. The team previously became the first expansion organization to reach the playoffs in its inaugural year in 2025.

"In just two years, the Golden State Valkyries have taken the sports world by storm," said San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. "They have built a fiercely loyal fan base that has sold out every home game they've ever played, cemented San Francisco as a global hub of women's sports, and now taken their rightful place as WNBA champions."

Victory parade plans

San Francisco will host a victory parade for the Valkyries on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from noon to 2 p.m. The parade is scheduled to march along the Embarcadero, starting at the Ferry Building near Mission Street and ending at Second Street and King Street in front of Oracle Park.

City officials have announced several street closures for the event:

• From 12:01 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Eastbound King Street and northbound Embarcadero (between Third Street and Broadway); Market Street (between Drumm Street and Steuart Street); Steuart Street (between Market Street and its southern end); and Spear Street (between Market Street and its southern end).
• From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Southbound Embarcadero and westbound King Street (between Broadway and Third Street); Washington Street (between Drumm Street and the Embarcadero); Mission, Howard, Folsom, Harrison, and Bryant streets (between Main Street and the Embarcadero); Brannan Street (between Second Street and the Embarcadero); Townsend Street (between Third Street and the Embarcadero); and Second Street (between Brannan Street and King Street).

Autonomous vehicle services will be restricted from operating in the area from 12:01 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. BART and Muni Metro will be available to accommodate crowds, with BART adding extra trains and security.

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Sources

• instagram.com: Instagram
• sports.yahoo.com: Golden State Valkyries Parade: How to celebrate the WNBA championship - Yahoo Sports
• nbcbayarea.com: Golden State Valkyries win WNBA title in second season – NBC Bay Area

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.