💜⚔️ For the first time in WNBA history, an expansion franchise has reached the playoffs in Year One — and of course, it’s the Golden State Valkyries who made it happen.
On Thursday night inside a sold-out Chase Center in San Francisco, the Valkyries defeated the Dallas Wings 84–80 in a nail-biting finish to officially punch their postseason ticket.
With under 30 seconds left, Veronica Burton squared up against No. 1 overall draft pick Paige Bueckers, delivering the kind of clutch poise that has defined this team’s first season. The roar of Ballhalla carried Golden State across the finish line, securing win No. 23 and etching their names into league history.
Postseason in San Jose: SAP Center to Host Valkyries’ First Playoff Game
Moments after clinching, season-ticket holders received a surprise email: the Valkyries’ first-ever home playoff game will not be at Chase Center, but rather at the SAP Center in San Jose.
The shift comes due to Chase Center hosting the Laver Cup, an international tennis event scheduled for Sept. 18–21, requiring extensive setup days. Valkyries President Jess Smith explained that the event was booked before the franchise was officially awarded to Golden State.
While it’s bittersweet to not play the postseason in their violet fortress, Valkyries fans are already preparing to turn San Jose into Ballhalla South.
The Road Ahead
- 📊 Record: 23–18, currently 6th in the WNBA standings
- 🏀 Remaining Regular-Season Games: 3
- đź“Ť Playoff Schedule:
- Game 1: Sunday, Sept. 14 (on the road)
- Game 2: Thursday, Sept. 18 @ SAP Center, San Jose
- Game 3 (if necessary): on the road
This team was built to defy odds, and now they’ve shattered history. From sellout crowds in San Francisco to the Bay Area expansion magic spreading to San Jose, the Valkyries’ playoff journey is only just beginning.
💜⚔️ Ballhalla believes. Ballhalla delivers. And now, Ballhalla goes to the playoffs.
