Golden State Valkyries are the 1st team to make the WNBA Playoffs in their 1st season

The Golden State Valkyries have done what no other WNBA expansion team has ever done, in the league’s 27-year history. Last Thursday the Valkyries outlasted the Dallas Wings, 84-80, becoming the first expansion team to make the WNBA Playoffs in its inaugural season.

Ballhalla — the nickname for the Golden State Valkyries arena — erupted as the seconds ticked off in the fourth quarter. As the confetti fell, the players gathered mid-court to put on their new “Playoffs 2025” shirts.

For a team that announced its mascot less than a month ago, to be where they’re at now is unfathomable. The Valks are no fluke – the team, led by Head Coach Natalie Nakase, have been contenders all season.

Even before the team’s first tip-off the organization was setting records. The Valkyries were the first in women’s sports history to secure 15,000-season ticket deposits, and they led the league all season in attendance.

Just two days ago, the Valks set the WNBA’s all-time record for average and total attendance, as it sold out all 22 of its home games.

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I was fortunate to catch up with two Angelenos who made the trek up to The Bay for (what would become) the Playoff-clinching game. The couple — who have been to numerous LA Sparks games together — wanted to check out Balhalla and the local lesbian bar, Rikki’s, for themselves.

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When asked about her experience, Chelsea Mottern said, “Ballhalla was like nothing I’ve ever seen! Every single person I saw was decked out in purple Valkyries gear and it was so high-energy from start to finish.”

Her girlfriend, Madeline Hasbrouck, noted “the energy was absolutely insane, it felt like everyone at this game was a diehard fan — you’d never know it was their first season.”

The couple was so enamored with the experience, they even extended their trip to get more time cheering on their newfound team.

Chelsea added, “We ended up having so much fun we went back to get Valkyries merch the next day, and delayed our drive home to watch them play from a sports bar in Oakland. We found an adorable group of older lesbians decked out in Valkyries gear to watch and cheer with!”

After last night’s final game of the regular season, the Valkyries finished eighth out of the eight teams to make it to the postseason. They will play the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx in the opening round’s best-of-three series.

Certainly a formidable opponent, but if the Valkyries have shown us anything in their first season, it’s that records mean nothing to them.

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