Valkyries Secure Playoff Berth with Sixth Straight Victory
Source: ABC News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The Golden State Valkyries are heading back to the playoffs, and they did it in style. On Monday night at Chase Center, a sellout crowd of 18,064 watched the Valkyries dispatch the Dallas Wings 78-70, securing their second consecutive postseason berth in just their second year of existence. The victory marked the team's sixth straight win, pushing their record to 25-9 – already two games better than the 23-11 mark they posted during their historic inaugural season.
Gabby Williams was the engine of the offense, pouring in 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Her relentless drives to the basket and timely jumpers kept the Valkyries afloat during a sluggish first quarter. Veronica Burton provided a steady hand at point guard, finishing with 16 points and five assists, while also applying defensive pressure that disrupted Dallas' rhythm. The backcourt duo combined for 39 points, accounting for half of the team's scoring.
Golden State center Kiah Stokes made her return after missing the previous home win against Chicago due to concussion protocol. She logged 23 minutes, providing interior defense and rebounding that helped the Valkyries control the paint. Her presence was especially valuable during the second quarter, when the Valkyries turned a one-point deficit into a commanding 44-28 halftime lead with an 11-0 run.
The game began inauspiciously for the home side. Golden State missed 10 of its first 13 shots, while Dallas connected on seven of its first 10 attempts to jump ahead 15-8. But the Valkyries stayed composed. Reserve guard Tiffany Hayes provided a spark, hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer from just inside half court to end the first quarter, giving Golden State a 20-19 lead. Hayes finished with 10 points, including two triples, as the team shot 12-for-36 from beyond the arc. Janelle Salaun also contributed 10 points off the bench, giving the Valkyries quality depth.
Dallas refused to fade quietly. Paige Bueckers, the Wings' dynamic guard, scored 21 points, many of them in the fourth quarter as she tried to engineer a comeback. Arike Ogunbowale added 17, and Alanna Smith chipped in 13 points and five rebounds. But the Wings lost for the fifth time in six games, unable to overcome Golden State's relentless defense and balanced scoring.
The atmosphere at Chase Center was electric. Among the fans were Warriors star Stephen Curry and his son Canon, along with several Warriors teammates. The crowd erupted when the Valkyries took control in the second quarter and never let up. Golden State has now won 15 of its last 17 games overall, a stretch that has cemented their status as a legitimate contender in the WNBA.
Looking ahead, the Valkyries will host the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday night, while the Wings travel to face the Indiana Fever on Thursday. For Golden State, the immediate focus is on finishing strong and preparing for a playoff run that could go deeper than last year's first-round exit, when they lost to top-seeded Minnesota by a single point in Game 2.
This season, the Valkyries have shown remarkable growth. Their defense has tightened, their offense has become more fluid, and their resilience has been tested and proven. With a roster that blends veterans like Williams and Burton with emerging talents, Golden State has all the pieces to make noise in the postseason. Monday night's victory was not just a celebration of a playoff berth – it was a statement that this team is built for long-term success.
Article commentary
The Golden State Valkyries' second consecutive playoff berth is a remarkable achievement for an expansion franchise, but it also raises deeper questions about the team's trajectory and the competitive balance of the WNBA. When the Valkyries debuted in 2025, they shocked the league by becoming the first expansion team to reach the postseason in its inaugural season. Now, with a 25-9 record and a six-game winning streak, they have not only validated that initial success but have also improved upon it. The question is: can they translate regular-season dominance into playoff victories? The team's strength lies in its balanced attack and defensive tenacity. Gabby Williams has emerged as a bona fide star, capable of scoring in bunches while also contributing on the boards. Veronica Burton's playmaking and perimeter defense have given the Valkyries a steady floor general. The return of Kiah Stokes from injury adds interior depth that will be crucial in a playoff series. But perhaps the most encouraging sign is the bench production. Players like Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaun have provided scoring punch, allowing the starters to rest without a drop-off in performance. However, concerns remain. The Valkyries have a tendency to start slowly, as evidenced by their 3-for-13 shooting in the first quarter against Dallas. Against a top-tier team like the Las Vegas Aces or the New York Liberty, such sluggish starts could prove fatal. Additionally, the team's reliance on three-point shooting – 12-for-36 against the Wings – can be a double-edged sword. When the shots aren't falling, the offense can stagnate. The Valkyries will need to develop a more consistent inside-out game to thrive in the playoffs. From a league perspective, Golden State's success is a positive sign for the WNBA's expansion efforts. The Valkyries have shown that a well-managed expansion team can compete quickly, drawing large crowds and generating excitement. Their sellout streak at Chase Center, bolstered by crossover interest from the Warriors' fanbase, demonstrates the potential for women's basketball in new markets. But it also raises questions about the competitive gap. The Wings, once a playoff contender, have fallen to 10-24 and are now in a rebuilding phase. The disparity between the league's top and bottom teams remains a concern. Looking ahead, the Valkyries' playoff run will be a litmus test. Last year, they pushed the top-seeded Lynx to the brink before losing by a single point. That experience could prove invaluable. With home-court advantage likely in the first round, the Valkyries have a real chance to advance. Their ability to grind out wins, as they did against Dallas, suggests they have the mental toughness needed for postseason basketball. If they can maintain their defensive intensity and get consistent contributions from their bench, they could be a dark horse to reach the WNBA Finals. The Valkyries are no longer a novelty – they are a force to be reckoned with.