By: Dionte Daniel, Assistant Sports Editor  

The WNBA did not need a perfect ending, but it needed a series like this. 

The Atlanta Dream didn’t leave Saturday night with a ring on their fingers, but what they provided to the league over these past seven games may mean more than what we realized. 

The Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-63 to take home the first ever WNBA Finals game 7 victory. Giving Golden State their first title in only their second year ever as a franchise. A disappointing end for the Dream on their title run. But it was a WNBA Finals we have never seen before. 

Both teams fought tooth and nail over these seven games. There was no dominating force in this series, it all came down to who could out last each other. 

The Dream started out leading this series 2-1 but Golden State was able to take the next two games. The Dream fell behind once again, needing to win to stay alive and they beat the Valkyries 80-69 in game 6. 

And on Saturday night they did.  

Atlanta led going into the half by 30-24. Finals MVP Gabby Williams came through once again scoring 30 points and being the deciding factor late in the game. Rhyne Howard was able to tie the game at 57 late in the 4th quarter, with Williams coming back with a three to seal the deal for the Valkyries. 

I thought this series was amazing for the league. 

It always feels like the league is not taken as seriously when it comes to Women’s basketball, but we had a series that everyone can watch and understand what the WNBA has to offer. We can compete and take titles all the way down to the last minute of game 7. 

That is how you are going to draw more fans to your sport. There will always be comparisons between the NBA and WNBA, but this is how you are going to grow this league. Give them something to watch.  

Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Angel Reese helped bring the Atlanta Dream close to winning their first title. We can learn many lessons from the Dream’s playoff run this year, but they did not win it. Which can be viewed as a negative.  

Golden State can be proud of what they accomplished this past season.  

Both teams played an outstanding WNBA Finals, but the real winner was the league. 

They may not have taken home the championship, but they gave us something more valuable than a title.