Gabby Williams would not be denied. As part of her historic 28-point second half in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals, Williams drilled a 30-foot three-point shot with just 2:18 remaining in the fourth quarter that felt like the biggest, most decisive shot of the season. It handed the Golden State Valkyries a 60-57 lead over the Atlanta Dream.
21 Percent: The Math Behind the Magic
That tie-breaking three-ball was absolutely decisive, and we can quantify just how much it meant. According to data scientist Mike Beuoy, Williams’ incredible shot over Allisha Gray increased the Valkyries’ chances to win the championship by a staggering 21 percent. Think about that for a second. Golden State’s chances to beat the Atlanta Dream shot up from 54 percent to 75 percent in an instant. The Valkyries would not relinquish that lead, riding the momentum to a 68-63, title-securing win. Beuoy’s methodology, which measures the impact to championship probability, rates Williams’ shot as the 10th-most impactful in the entire history of the WNBA. That’s not just a big shot, that’s a legacy shot.
Finals MVP: A Slam Dunk Decision
With that kind of impact, Williams’ Finals MVP nod became an absolute slam dunk. She put up a historic 28 points in the second half alone during Game 7. She literally hit the most important shot of the series, the season, and her career, all while leading Golden State to a historic championship. Her performance throughout the series, capped by that legendary moment, solidified her place in the record books.
The Valkyries claimed their first championship, and Williams’ clutch three-pointer will forever be etched into WNBA history. What a moment for Golden State and for Williams, delivering a title that fans will talk about for years.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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