Golden State Valkyries Reach Playoffs in Inaugural WNBA Season

The Golden State Valkyries have made history by becoming the first WNBA expansion team to secure a playoff berth in their inaugural season. The Valkyries, seeded eighth, will face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs.

The Valkyries clinched their playoff spot with a decisive 84–80 victory over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center on September 4. Guard Veronica Burton's crucial and-one play with 22.3 seconds remaining sealed the win. Reflecting on the achievement, Burton stated, "It's a testament to all of the work that we put in. Obviously, there is a long road ahead of us, but [we're ready for the challenge]."

The first-round series against the Lynx is set to begin on Sunday, September 14, at Target Center in Minneapolis. Game 2 will take place on Wednesday, September 17, at SAP Center in San Jose, due to a scheduling conflict at Chase Center. If necessary, Game 3 will return to Minneapolis on Friday, September 19. All games will be broadcast on ESPN networks.

The Valkyries' rapid ascent has energized the San Francisco Bay Area, filling the void left by the Sacramento Monarchs' dissolution in 2009. The team has enjoyed sellout crowds at all 21 home games, underscoring the community's enthusiasm for women's professional basketball.

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs feature a best-of-three first round, followed by best-of-five semifinals and best-of-seven finals. The higher-seeded team in each series has home-court advantage. The entire postseason will be broadcast on Disney-owned networks, including ABC and ESPN, which reported record viewership during the regular season.

As the Valkyries prepare for their playoff debut, the team's success serves as a testament to effective management, coaching, and player performance, highlighting the growing popularity and competitiveness of women's professional basketball.