“Ballhalla” roared one last time in the regular season, and even in defeat, the Golden State Valkyries cemented their place in WNBA history. Saturday night’s 78–72 loss to the league-leading Minnesota Lynx at Chase Center wrapped up a record-breaking inaugural home slate — 22 sellouts in 22 games, an all-time WNBA attendance record (18,064 per game; 397,408 total fans).
The Game
Golden State (22–19) battled stride for stride with Minnesota (25–14) but couldn’t overcome a brutal third quarter where the Lynx outscored them 30–16, fueled by Natisha Hiedeman’s hot hand (game-high 24 points, nine in the third).
Four Valkyries finished in double figures:
- Janelle Salaün – 15 PTS, 8 REB, 3 triples
- Iliana Rupert – 15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 threes, perfect 4-for-4 FT
- Kaila Charles – 15 PTS (career-high-tying 7 FGM), 8 REB
- Veronica Burton – 14 PTS, 6 AST, 1 triple (career total now at 99)
Kate Martin added six boards off the bench as the Valkyries starters carried the scoring load (65 of 72 total points).
Charles summed up her night simply: “My teammates kept finding me, giving me the confidence to keep attacking the rim. That trust makes all the difference.”
Playoff Push
Despite the loss, Golden State stays sixth in the WNBA playoff picture, two games back of the New York Liberty for fifth and one game ahead of the Indiana Fever for seventh. With two road tests remaining — at Seattle (Sept. 9) and at Minnesota (Sept. 11) — the Valkyries are chasing playoff positioning in their historic first season.
By the Numbers – Ballhalla Records
- 22/22: Every single home game in Year 1 was a sellout.
- 18,064: Average attendance — the highest in league history.
- 397,408: Total fans through the turnstiles this season, also a record.
What’s Next
Golden State closes the regular season on the road before their first-ever WNBA Playoff appearance. With Ballhalla behind them and history already made, the fight now shifts to seeding — and the Valkyries are hungry for more.
