Gabby Williams Faces Historic WNBA Title Decider After Atlanta Fightback

Gabby Williams will have one final opportunity to win the WNBA championship after the Golden State Valkyries were beaten 80–69 by the Atlanta Dream, setting up a historic deciding game on Saturday 31 October 2026.

Williams scored a game-high 26 points during Thursday’s defeat, but Golden State could not recover from Atlanta’s dominant opening quarter as the Dream levelled the championship series at three victories apiece.

The result means the WNBA Finals will reach Game Seven for the first time, with both teams seeking their first championship when they meet at Chase Center in San Francisco.

For Williams, the decider continues a remarkable playoff campaign that SoapLandTV followed earlier this month when she helped Golden State reach its first semi-final.

Gabby Williams leads Golden State’s comeback attempt

Atlanta took control almost immediately, scoring 32 points during the opening quarter while restricting Golden State to just 15.

The Dream’s accurate outside shooting helped them establish a commanding advantage, which grew to 25 points before half-time.

Williams struggled to make an impact during the opening half but responded after the interval, scoring 26 points overall and making three three-pointers as Golden State attempted to reduce the deficit.

The Valkyries eventually closed the gap to eight points late in the fourth quarter, but Atlanta responded with another crucial three-pointer from Allisha Gray to secure the victory.

Gray finished with 23 points and five successful three-pointers, while Rhyne Howard contributed 21 points.

Angel Reese recorded another double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, adding six assists as the Dream recovered from two consecutive defeats.

Golden State struggled with its shooting throughout the game, converting just 31.4 per cent of its attempts from the field.

From a first semi-final to the brink of a championship

Golden State’s progress through the playoffs has already provided several milestones for a franchise competing at this level for the first time.

Earlier in October, Williams scored 19 points as the Valkyries advanced to their first WNBA semi-final, establishing themselves as serious contenders during a historic postseason.

The team subsequently reached the Finals, where Atlanta provided another demanding challenge.

Golden State won the opening game of the championship series before Atlanta responded with victories in Games Two and Three.

The Valkyries then recovered to win Games Four and Five, leaving them one victory away from securing the title.

Thursday’s defeat has extended the contest to a seventh game, giving both teams one final opportunity to finish the season as champions.

Why Gabby Williams has become an important LGBTQ+ voice

Williams has spoken publicly in support of transgender inclusion in women’s basketball, placing her among professional athletes willing to discuss LGBTQ+ participation in sport.

Her comments have contributed to conversations about representation and the treatment of transgender athletes, particularly as sporting organisations continue to debate eligibility rules.

Alongside that advocacy, Williams has built an international basketball career representing France and competing professionally in the United States and Europe.

Her performances throughout Golden State’s playoff campaign have now brought her within one victory of a WNBA championship.

Saturday’s game provides an opportunity to add another achievement to that career, although Atlanta’s Game Six performance demonstrated how difficult the final contest could be.

When is the WNBA Finals Game Seven?

Golden State will host Atlanta at Chase Center on Saturday 31 October, with the game scheduled to begin at 8pm Eastern Time in the United States.

For viewers in Britain, the championship decider begins at midnight GMT, at the start of Sunday 1 November.

The series is being carried by Sky Sports in the UK, while American coverage of Game Seven is scheduled for USA Network, CNBC and Peacock.

Neither Golden State nor Atlanta has previously won a WNBA championship, meaning Saturday’s winner will make franchise history.

For Williams and the Valkyries, the deciding game represents the final stage of a playoff journey that began with their first semi-final appearance and has now taken them to the brink of the league’s biggest prize.

Previous SoapLandTV coverage: Gabby Williams Powers Valkyries Into First WNBA Semi-Final