San Francisco – After a thrilling overtime victory over the Las Vegas Aces, the Golden State Valkyries have secured a spot in the WNBA Finals. Guard Gabby Williams, who joined the team in the spring, celebrated the win with a light‑hearted handshake with coach Natalie Nakase before heading back to the locker room.

Finding a Home in the Bay Area

Williams, a former UConn star and 2024 Olympic silver medalist with France, described the Chase Center as her “safe place” where fans appreciate and adore her play. “Everyone’s there just to see good basketball,” she told a sell‑out crowd of more than 18,000.

Impact on the Valkyries

Since signing a three‑year contract in April, Williams has become a key contributor, helping spark a 16‑point comeback in the first‑round series against Dallas and delivering eight of her 16 points in overtime during the semifinal win. Teammate Kayla Thornton praised her, saying, “Gabby doesn’t need to prove herself. She unlocked a lot of different things for us.”

Team Culture and Confidence

Williams highlighted the team’s culture as a major factor in her decision to sign with Golden State. “Where am I going to win? Where am I going to be part of a winning culture?” she said. Coach Nakase and fellow players echoed her sentiment, noting the authentic, supportive atmosphere that allows each player to be themselves.

Looking Ahead to the Finals

The Valkyries will open the best‑of‑seven Finals at home against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday. Williams expressed confidence, stating, “No one really believed in us except for us, and we leaned on each other all season. I knew this team had what it took.” Teammate Tiffany Hayes added, “We’ll do it again and again, over and over. We believe in her.”

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.