Gabby Williams Named WNBA All-Star Starter Amid Injury Concerns

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams achieved All-Star status for the second time, as the WNBA announced her as a starter for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game. The event will take place in Chicago on July 25. This marks the first time in her career that Williams has been voted as an All-Star starter.

Williams, aged 29, raised concerns about her participation in the All-Star Game after she left the Valkyries’ win over the Toronto Tempo on July 8 due to a back contusion. The team confirmed her departure from the game through a statement by Kenzo Fukuda.

“Any back injury is tricky, as we’ve seen with Caitlin Clark all season, but Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase downplayed any long-term concern.”

Head coach Natalie Nakase commented, “I actually did not check with medical, but she was smiling, so that’s all I can say,” as reported by Madisyn Cunningham.

Williams has been a pivotal player for the Valkyries this season, leading the team in scoring with an average of 15.3 points per game. Her contributions have been key to the Valkyries becoming a dominant force in the WNBA.

Golden State’s victory over Toronto marked their sixth consecutive win, bringing their record to 16-7. They join the Minnesota Lynx, who hold a 16-6 record, as the only teams with 16 wins. The defending champion Las Vegas Aces are close behind with a 15-6 record.

The Valkyries made history in their inaugural season by reaching the playoffs, the first WNBA team to achieve such a feat. This season, the Valkyries are proving their strength as serious title contenders for the upcoming fall playoffs.