By: Chloe Wilson

Culture Editor

The Golden State Valkyries are now officially the first WNBA expansion team to obtain a spot in the playoffs during their inaugural season. The new team (No. 8 seed) is set to play the Minnesota Lynx (No. 1 seed) for their first round of the playoffs. The winner of their games will move on to the second round of the playoffs.

The Valkyries’ overall record before the playoffs was 23 wins and 21 losses. This set them apart from other teams, giving them a .523 W-L percentage. The team has played the Lynx four times throughout the regular season and has lost all four times, three of which were double-digit losses. Besides that, the Valkyries have made their presence clearly felt in the WNBA. They might be a new team in the franchise, but their performance says otherwise. Winning over the Bay Area, the attendance at the Chase Center for Valkyries games was off the charts, with multiple sold-out crowds. Guard Tiffany Hayes missed the Valkyries’ first playoff game due to injury. She remarked, “The way that the bay grows is by being there for each other, is uplifting each other, is lending that helping hand when people need it, or even just working together, just connecting people that need to be connected. A little connection can bring you a long way. That’s just what the Valkyries have been showing everybody. You see Ballhalla’s packed every night, that people feel the love from what they’re getting when they come here.”

However, in Game One on Sept. 14, versus the Lynx, the team fell to their opponents with a score of 72-101. 2025 Associated Press Coach of the Year, Natalie Nakase, put some of the blame on the officiating and, following the game, requested a “fair fight” and a “clean fight.” Though the Valkyries led 28-21 in the first quarter, the Lynx quickly closed the gap, leading to a tough loss. Nakase explains, “When Iliana Rupert is trying to fight for the rebound and she’s getting called for a foul on a rebound, it takes our aggression away, and that’s where I’m not ok with it, I want a fair fight. I really do. I want a clean fight, but I love the fact that both teams are playing their hearts out. They’re fighting. But I would like it to be fair.” Nakase obtained a technical foul in this game as well, for arguing the officiators’ calls during the second half.

The Valkyries also played their second game against the Lynx on Sept.14 at the SAP Center due to a previous scheduling conflict at the Chase Center, putting up a hard fight, with a final score of 74-75, and a Lynx victory. The Bay Area continues to show its support and remains hopeful for the history-making team’s playoff run!

(Sources: ESPN, Valkyries, Yahoo Sports)