Golden State Valkyries prove what happens when you invest in women - USA Today
SAN FRANCISCO ― The Golden State Valkyries' WNBA title win is a reminder: Invest in women.
Before Golden State ever arrived in the WNBA, it had a vision for what it wanted to be: a premier franchise with an unmatched desire for greatness. On Oct. 5, 2023, owner Joseph Lacob declared the Valkyries would win a championship within the first five years of the team's existence, a lofty goal. Still, neither Lacob nor the organization ever wavered in their pursuit.
The Valkyries actually did it in two, winning the title with a 68-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history on Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Chase Center.
"We are having so much fun, but there is no give,” Valkyries president Jess Smith said during the team's first season. “There is no ‘Alright, we did it.’ We’re like, ‘We want more.’ It’s insatiable at all times. … We’ve kind of compiled this group of people who love to win.”
The Valkyries prioritized bringing people and players on board who like focusing on achieving goals and being aligned on a simple mission: If they are successful, it means the WNBA benefits, and so do future expansion franchises. Golden State's victories and growth sow the seeds for other investment opportunities. It started with Smith, the franchise's first employee, and trickled down to Ohemaa Nyanin, the team's general manager, who then hired head coach Natalie Nakase, who won two championships with Las Vegas amid more than 15 years in pro basketball.
With a blank canvas, the trio crafted a roster over two seasons that helped the Valkyries become the first expansion franchise to make the postseason in its first year of existence, and to get to the WNBA Finals faster than any other team in league history. What began as a talented roster with no true standout star or a definitive leader to build around, evolved into a roster with multiple stars and leaders, highlighted by two-way stalwart Gabby Williams, whom Golden State signed after the 2025 season.
“(Nakase) has taken an expansion team where a lot of us weren't protected, were cut — where we've had the kind of weird stories in the league," Williams said. "And she's believed in all of us, but she's believed in all of us just based off of our effort, as well.
“Being almost 10 years in this league, that's something I've never seen before.”
With a championship on the line Williams answered the call in the third quarter, nearly willing the Valkyries to victory herself. The Valkyries guard had a superstar moment, taking over with 15 huge points as Golden State dug in defensively to slow down Atlanta. She finished with 30, scoring 28 in the second half — a WNBA Finals record.
Golden State took her lead as she quietly yet boldly chipped away at the Dream's lead and infused energy into the Valkyries, sending the Bay faithful, who have filled "Ballhalla" numerous times, into euphoria. Williams leadership translated to the defensive end as well. Golden State dialed in the defensive pressure it used to torment opponents all season and unraveled Atlanta when it mattered most.
“She's just a humble star,” Nakase said of Williams. "She is the best two-way player in the world, and she's not asking for anything. She just was asking for our culture — a culture that loved and cared about people, and brought out the best. And I was like, ‘That's it?’”
With chants of "MVP! MVP!" raining down as Williams sank two free throws late, the crowd serenaded the Bay Area native, who returned home this season. When Williams cashed a triple with just over two minutes remaining, Chase Center was joyous as she chest-bumped her way to the bench. As the time ran down, the crowd followed up with "Gabby! Gabby! Gabby!" between more MVP chants.
Kiah Stokes finished what Williams started with a gritty putback bucket with just over 50 seconds remaining, the finishing touch on the title Golden State had worked so hard for. In a heroic effort, Williams finished with 30 points, three rebounds and four blocks.
The Valkyries finished the job, proving Lacob right: when you invest in women, anything is possible. All it takes is a little belief, and the rest takes care of itself.
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