How did the Golden State Valkyries fast-track a WNBA title in two years?

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase (center) and the team celebrate defeating the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the 2026 WNBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday. | Imagn Images / via Reuters

By Annie Costabile — Brian Hamilton
The New York Times

Nov 3, 2026

San Francisco – Only two years into their existence, the Golden State Valkyries have won a WNBA championship. They did it with their typical grit and determination, and some sensational shooting from Gabby Williams.

The Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream, 68-63, on Saturday night, winning the first Game 7 in league history.

If you are looking for comparisons to what this women’s basketball team has done, consider this: No expansion franchise in the major North American men’s team leagues — the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB — ever won a title so quickly. (Several expansion teams have won the MLS championship either in their inaugural year or shortly after joining the league.)

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