Michael Jordan recognizes real greatness: Cold reminder for Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark's ring pursuit
Michael Jordan gives his respect to the WNBA champions
The Golden State Valkyries wrote a new chapter in WNBA history by capturing their first championship after defeating the Atlanta Dream 4-3 in an unforgettable series. The star of the night was Gabby Williams , who earned Finals MVP honors after averaging nearly 20 points throughout the series and delivering a historic 30-point performance in Game 7 .
Her incredible performance did not go unnoticed and caught the attention of one of the greatest legends in sports history: Michael Jordan . The former Chicago Bulls superstar and six-time NBA champion sent Williams a message congratulating her on the title, according to the player herself in a post shared by ESPN reporter Kendra Andrews .
The recognition comes as no surprise, as Williams was the key piece behind Golden State’s championship victory. The Valkyries star dominated on both ends of the floor, carrying the team’s offense while making a major defensive impact in the biggest game of the season.
Twenty-eight of her 30 points came in the second half, setting a record in WNBA Finals history and accounting for nearly half of G olden State’s 68 total points in the game. The Valkyries entered halftime trailing by six points and fell behind by as many as nine during the third quarter, but Williams stepped up when her team needed her most.
The star scored 15 points in the third quarter and 13 more in the fourth to lead the comeback and deliver Golden State the first championship in franchise history. Along with her 30 points, she finished with an impressive stat line of three rebounds, four blocks, two assists and two steals, in one of the most memorable individual performances in WNBA Finals history.
The second-leading scorer for the Valkyries was Tiffany Hayes , who added 11 points, while Veronica Burton recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Williams finished the game shooting 10-of-23 from the field, but her impact went far beyond the box score.
After becoming a champion and Finals MVP, receiving a personal message from Michael Jordan was the perfect recognition for a player who just delivered one of the most important moments in the young history of the Valkyries.
