17,428 Fans, One Unforgettable Night
Bay Area basketball has a new beat — and it’s loud. The Golden State Valkyries debut marks an exciting moment for local fans.
On Tuesday night, the Golden State Valkyries made their highly anticipated WNBA debut at Chase Center, and if the atmosphere was any indication, the city is already all-in. A staggering 17,428 fans packed the arena — a near sellout — for a preseason game. Let that sink in.
Yes, preseason. And yes, it felt like the Finals.
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Sparks Fly — and So Do the Valkyries
Facing off against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Valkyries trailed early, but showed grit, poise, and fire in a thrilling second-half comeback that turned first-time fans into lifelong believers. The final score? 83-82, Sparks. But in every other way, Golden State won big.
The turning point came when fan-favorite Kate Martin — the tough, fearless rookie from Iowa — scored her first points in Valkyries gold. The crowd erupted. This wasn’t just applause. It was thunder. A city falling in love in real time.
Meet Kaitlyn Chen — and the Future
The roar got even louder in the fourth quarter. Enter Kaitlyn Chen, the silky-smooth Princeton standout turned UConn Husky turned Valkyrie. On her very first possession, she sliced down the lane for a fast-break layup off a no-look dime from Julie Vanloo. The bench exploded. So did the crowd.
These are the kind of moments that shape a franchise. And Golden State’s newest team is wasting no time building its legend.
More Than a Team — A Movement
For a franchise just months old, the Valkyries already feel like part of the Bay’s basketball soul. The energy was palpable, the crowd loud and loyal, and the brand-new squad gave them every reason to keep coming back.
This wasn’t just a preseason debut. This was a cultural arrival.
