💜⚔️ Chase Center is no longer just an arena — it’s a fortress called Ballhalla. With 20 straight sellouts in San Francisco, the Golden State Valkyries have turned their home into the loudest, most intimidating venue in the WNBA. That passion pushed the expansion team to its biggest win of the season, a gritty 66–58 victory over the defending champion New York Liberty on Tuesday night.
From Humbling Start to Historic Win
The four-game season series with New York tells the story of the Valkyries’ rise.
- May 27: Just four games into their debut season, Golden State got a reality check — a 27–10 first quarter hole and a 28-point blowout loss.
- Midseason: The Valks tightened up, battling the Liberty to within single digits in back-to-back matchups.
- August 26 (Tuesday): The breakthrough. Golden State didn’t just hang around — they outplayed the champs, sending a message to the entire league.
Martin Sparks, Billings Returns
In front of another violet-and-black wave of fans, Kate Martin ignited the second quarter with a barrage of threes, flipping a 4-point deficit into a 26–8 run. Her energy shifted the game and kept Chase Center roaring.
The crowd also welcomed back Monique Billings, finally returning from a late-July ankle injury. Her presence gave Golden State more depth and defensive grit against the Liberty’s bigs.
Fágbénlé Anchors the Paint
The Liberty’s MVP duo — Breanna Stewart (19 PTS) and Jonquel Jones (5 PTS) — were stifled, combining for just 7 first-half points. Credit Temi Fágbénlé, who logged 38 minutes, played relentless interior defense, and finished +14. It was the latest in a string of defensive masterclasses, following clamps on Sonia Citron (Mystics) and Aliyah Boston (Fever) in recent games.
Head coach Natalie Nakase summed it up best: this team is being built “brick by brick.”
Playoff Picture 🔥
With four regular-season games left:
- The Valkyries (21–18) hold a 2.5-game cushion above the final playoff seed.
- A Sparks loss Wednesday + Valkyries win Thursday vs Los Angeles at Chase could clinch a playoff berth in Year One.
- With a strong finish, Golden State could climb as high as 5th seed in the standings.
Expansion No More
What was once a brand-new team just finding its feet is now a dangerous playoff contender. The Valkyries have exceeded every expectation, creating history one night at a time — and with Ballhalla behind them, they’re only getting stronger.
💜⚔️ Valhalla believes. The fortress is real. The playoffs await.
They’re coming together at the perfect time. Stay healthy, Valkyries.
Dominant, statement win!