Valkyries' Monday Night Victory Over Wings Secures Playoff Spot

The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Dallas Wings 78-70 at Chase Center on Monday night, clinching a spot in the 2026 WNBA Playoffs. The night was punctuated by Tiffany Hayes' draining a near half-court shot in the final second of the first quarter for an electric Ballhalla. Four Valkyries recorded double-digit scoring, Gabby Williams (23), Veronica Burton (16), Tiffany Hayes (10) and Janelle Salaün (10). The Valkyries held the Wings to their second lowest scoring output of the season.

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Highlights: Golden State Valkyries 78 - Dallas Wings 70 | 8/17/26


HAYES' HALF-COURT SHOT
Ending the first quarter with flare, Tiffany Hayes heaved the ball from the logo, sinking it with 0.1 seconds on the clock to put the Valkyries up 20-19, bringing Stephen Curry and other Warriors players to their feet in celebration with all of Ballhalla. Hayes' haul capped off a 8-2 scoring run for the Valkyries to take the lead after trailing for majority of the first frame.

Hayes finished the contest with 10 points, two 3-pointers, and four rebounds.

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Tiffany Hayes' Half-Court Shot


SECOND QUARTER DOMINATION
After battling back to take a one-point lead into the second frame, Golden State went on another run, outscoring the Wings 22-5 to end the second half, taking a 16-point lead into halftime.

Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams combined for 15 points in that span while both recording one steal. As a team, the Valkyries held the Wings to 2-for-10 shooting from the field during the run.

WILLIAMS' DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Gabby Williams led the team in scoring with 23 points, her sixth time this season recording 20-plus points. It also marked her sixth consecutive game scoring in double figures.

Rounding out her game, Williams recorded a season-high four steals, a team-high six rebounds and three assists on the night.

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Gabby Williams Scores 23 Points vs. Dallas Wings - 8/17/26


STOKES RETURNS TO ACTION
Kiah Stokes, who started the first 32 games for the Valkyries, returned to the starting lineup after missing Wednesday's contest (concussion protocol) against the Sky.

She played 24 minutes and tallied five rebounds in her return.

VALKYRIES CLINCH PLAYOFFS FOR SECOND YEAR
In their second season as a franchise, the Valkyries are back in postseason play, and are the third team this year to clinch a postseason berth, alongside the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces. Golden State is currently second in the league standings, improving their record to 25-9 with their win against the Wings.

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Tiffany Hayes Postgame (KPIX) | 8/17/26

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Veronica Burton Postgame (Peacock) | 8/17/26


UP NEXT
The Valkyries continue their home stand when they face the first place Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday, Aug. 19 (7 p.m. PT; KPIX (Bay Area), KOVR (Sacramento)).

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Natalie Nakase Postgame Press Conference | 8/17/26

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Veronica Burton and Gabby Williams Postgame Press Conference | 8/17/26


BY THE NUMBERS

  • The Valkyries clinched a postseason berth for the second straight season with the win on Monday night. Golden State is the 14th team in North American professional sports history (MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, WNBA) to reach the postseason in each of its first two seasons of existence (per Elias Sports Bureau
  • The Valkyries drew their 41st consecutive regular-season sellout with 18,064 on Monday night. Golden State has sold out every regular season game in team history. 
  • Gabby Williams led all players with 23 points while adding seven rebounds and four steals. It’s Williams’ sixth 20-point game of the season.
  • Veronica Burton added 16 points, five assists and two steals, and made all three of her threes in the second.
  • Tiffany Hayes scored in double figures for the third straight game and sixth in her last seven with 10 points.
  • Janelle Salaün scored 10 points in 19 minutes off the bench.
  • Golden State ended the first half on a 22-5 run, outscoring the Wings 24-9 in the second quarter. It’s the second-fewest points Dallas has scored in a second quarter this season (the season low for the Wings is seven which was also against Golden State on June 17).
  • The win is Golden State’s league-leading 15th home victory of the season. 
  • The Valkyries have held their opponents to 70 points or less in a league-leading 10 games this year.
  • The victory is also Golden State’s sixth straight, its second-longest winning streak of the season. The Valkyries have won eight of their last 10, and 13 of their last 15 games.

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