Valkyries Comeback Win Catapults Team to Its First Semifinals
The Golden State Valkyries punched their ticket to the franchise’s first-ever WNBA semifinals on Friday night, after erasing a 16-point deficit in the second half of a win-or-go-home playoff game against the Dallas Wings.
Chase Center’s sell-out crowd erupted when the Valkyries, largely led by a 17-point second half push by forward Gabby Williams, took the last game in a best-of-three round one series on their home court. In just their second season since beginning play in 2025, it marks the franchise’s first playoff series win.
The 77-73 victory advances them to a best-of-five semifinals series, where they’ll host defending WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, starting Sunday.
Williams told ESPN after the game that she swore there was magic in Ballhalla, the name given to Chase Center, when filled with fans who are loud and passionate.
“I loved it because it forced us to talk louder, communicate more and when you’re screaming more, your energy is up and you’re into it, so we definitely owe Ballhalla a big thank you,” Williams said at the post-game press conference.
Williams scored a team high of 19 points overall and netted the last baskets that resulted in victory for the No. 2 seeded team.
Tiffany Hayes was the team’s second-highest scorer of the night, trailing Williams with 18 points. She said a switch flipped in the last quarter or so of the game – “it’s literally win or go home, so we gotta do something.”
“I don’t know if I can speak for everyone, but I think I can when I say: Our back’s against the wall, we’re going to scratch and claw and do what we need to do and lock into our scheme,” Hayes said post-game.
After the Wings scored 18 consecutive points between the end of the first half and the beginning of the third quarter, Veronica Burton hit a three-pointer that marked the beginning of the Valkyries path to victory. The team went on to outscore the Wings 17-15 in the third quarter.
Coach Natalie Nakase appeared to collapse near the sideline in the fourth quarter, but went on coaching the rest of the game. Nakase didn’t appear at the post-game conference but assistant coach Kasib Powell said that she was fine and will be ready for the semifinals.
“Obviously, it’s a quick turnaround. We play again on Sunday and she wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Powell told reporters.
The Valkyries made history when they reached the playoffs last year in their inaugural season, becoming the first expansion team to reach the postseason.
But their historic performance fell short when the Minnesota Lynx swept them in the first round, leaving the Valkyries with a 0% winning percentage in the playoffs.
Now, they’re the highest ranked team remaining this postseason. Hayes said she’s seen the work that staff and players have put in since last year.
“I literally commend everybody down the line, top to bottom on just our work ethic and wanting to work and wanting to win and get better as a team,” Hayes said.
The Valkyries will host the Aces tomorrow at 1 p.m at Chase Center in San Francisco.