Valkyries Win WNBA Title in Year Two — SkimNews
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- Golden State Valkyries won the 2026 WNBA championship by defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7, becoming the first expansion team in league history to win a title within two seasons.
- Natalie Nakase became head coach after a 2024 interview with Joe Lacob where he declared a five-year championship goal, which she embraced by slamming her fists on the table and declaring, 'Hell yeah, we're gonna win a championship.'
- Gabby Williams was named Finals MVP after scoring 30 points in Game 7, finishing the season with career-best averages of 14.4 points and 34.2% three-point shooting while earning All-Defensive first-team honors.
- Ohemaa Nyanin and Nakase built the roster through the 2024 expansion draft and strategic free-agent signings, including Kiah Stokes and Tiffany Hayes, prioritizing defensive identity and team cohesion over star power.
- Kiah Stokes started every playoff game in place of pregnant Iliana Rupert and recorded 31 blocked shots in the postseason, tying Lisa Leslie for the most in WNBA history.
- Nakase implemented a defense-first culture by banning offensive drills for the first three days of training camp, establishing a tone that led to the league's top-ranked defense, allowing just 75.1 points per game.
Why it matters: The Valkyries' title win in just two years upends the typical expansion-team timeline, proving that a clear culture, defensive focus, and cohesive roster-building can accelerate success. For the WNBA, it validates expansion as a viable growth strategy with immediate competitive potential.
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