Madina Okot misses out on WNBA title as Golden State stun Atlanta in historic Game Seven
The Kenyan centre’s impressive rookie campaign ends in disappointment as Golden State rally to beat Atlanta 68–63 and claim their maiden WNBA championship in a historic Game Seven.
Kenyan basketball star Madina Okot’s historic rookie season ended in disappointment after her Atlanta Dream side fell 68–63 to the Golden State Valkyries, who were crowned 2026 WNBA champions following a dramatic Game Seven victory on Saturday night.
The Valkyries clinched their maiden WNBA title after winning the best-of-seven series 4–3 at Chase Centre in San Francisco, becoming champions in only their second season in the league.
Atlanta had hoped to make history by claiming its first championship, but a strong second-half comeback by Golden State dashed the Dream’s hopes in what was the first Game Seven in WNBA Finals history.
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The Dream held a 30–24 lead at halftime and extended their advantage to nine points in the third quarter before the Valkyries mounted a comeback to take control of the game.
Gabby Williams was instrumental in Golden State’s victory, scoring a game-high 30 points. Her outstanding performance earned her the Finals Most Valuable Player award, while Kiah Stokes contributed 13 rebounds.
For Atlanta, Jordin Canada led the scoring with 18 points, followed by Allisha Gray with 16. Angel Reese added eight points and 12 rebounds.
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Despite the painful defeat, Reese expressed gratitude to her teammates and remained optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“It is tough in the moment, but we’ll be back. I always say, delayed, not denied,” she said after the game.
Reese also praised the teammates she had battled alongside throughout the season, saying they had changed her life and that she would gladly go through the experience with them again.
The defeat brought an end to an impressive campaign for Atlanta, whose run to the Finals gave Okot and her teammates a chance to compete for the biggest prize in women’s basketball.
Okot, who wears jersey number 11 and plays as a centre for Atlanta, was part of a Dream side chasing its first WNBA championship.
The 6-foot-6 Kenyan made history earlier this year when she was selected 13th overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft, becoming the highest-drafted Kenyan player in the league’s history.
Although the championship slipped away, Atlanta will look to build on its impressive run and return stronger next season.
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