The Atlanta Dream’s fantastic season ended with a heartbreaking 68-63 loss to Golden State in Game 7 of the WNBA on Saturday at the Chase Center.

The team was trying to become the fourth championship winner in the city’s history, joining the Braves (1995, ’21) and Atlanta United (2018). Instead, Atlanta was turned away for the fourth time.

Atlanta had the game seemingly in hand in the third quarter until its offense stalled, and its defense couldn’t stop Golden State’s Gabby Williams. She scored 28 of her game-high 30 points in the second half – a league record for points in a half in the Finals -- to lead the Valkyries to the title in just their second season.

Jordin Canada led the Dream with 18 points. Allisha Gray added 16. They were the only two Atlanta players to score at least 10 points. Golden State’s league-best defense took Angel Reese mostly out of the game. She finished with eight points and just three offensive rebounds.

Atlanta hit just 33.3% of its shots, including missing 24 of its 30 3-pointers.

The first quarter was nervy. The Dream didn’t score for the first 5:19. It finished the quarter trailing 14-13. It missed seven of its eight 3-point attempts, resulting in it shooting 29.4% overall.

Atlanta settled down in the second behind Canada, whose 11 points helped the team take a 30-24 lead into halftime. The Dream took advantage of 10 second-chance points to offset shooting 35%.

Atlanta increased its lead to 37-28 in the third quarter but then settled for quick 3-pointers on several possessions and lost its offensive momentum. Golden State found its touch behind Williams, who scored eight consecutive points to give her team a 45-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Dream missed five of its first six shots to open the final quarter as Golden State’s lead grew to 51-46.

Isobel Borlase converted a three-point play to cut the Dream’s gap to 51-49. Gray tied the game at 55 with two free throws minutes later.

Williams hit a 31-foot 3-pointer to give the Valkyries a 60-57 lead with 2:19 left.

Gray missed a layup on Atlanta’s next possession.

Williams was fouled by Canada with 1:40 left. Williams hit both free throws and Atlanta trailed 62-57.

Naz Hillmon missed a 3-pointer. Williams finally missed, but Kiah Stokes got the offensive rebound. Williams missed again, but Stokes was there again, this time for the putback, to increase Atlanta’s deficit to 64-57.

Gray missed a 3-pointer. Howard got the rebound. Canada missed another 3. Atlanta got the rebound. Gray made her next 3 to cut the gap to 64-60 with 36 seconds left.

Hillmon fouled Hayes with 29 seconds remaining. She hit both free throws to make it 66-60.

Canada missed a 3, but Reese got the rebound and was fouled. She hit one free throw to cut the Dream’s gap to 66-61 with 18.6 seconds left.

Atlanta stole the inbounds pass. Hayes fouled Gray with 10.5 seconds left. She hit both free throws to make it a one-basket game, 66-63.

The Dream forced a jump ball between Gray and Williams, which she won with 8.3 seconds left.

Atlanta fouled Veronica Burton with 5.1 seconds left. She hit both free throws to give the Valkyries a 68-63 lead.

The disappointment will be real, but the team had a fantastic season. Reese was named the Defensive Player of the Year and set dozens of records. Reese and Rhyne Howard were named to the league’s second team.

The city united behind the franchise, selling out State Farm Arena throughout the playoffs.