Since entering the WNBA in 2025, the Golden State Valkyries have beaten to their own drum, with a clear vision of instilling a championship culture from Day 1. Expansion teams aren’t supposed to be this good this early, or at least that’s what the league’s history would suggest. Before the Valkyries, the most recent WNBA expansion team was the Atlanta Dream, who went 4-30 in their inaugural season. Two years before them, the Chicago Sky entered the league with a 5-29 record. After them, neither the Toronto Tempo (11-33) nor the Portland Fire (17-27) made the playoffs in their first season. The Valkyries not only posted a winning record in their inaugural season (23-21), but they also became the only expansion team to make the playoffs. In Year 2, the Valkyries took a similarly significant leap, going from a good playoff-caliber team to one of the league's top teams. Golden State won nine more games in its second season, earning the second seed in the WNBA playoffs. After defeating the Dallas Wings 2-1 in the first round and sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, the Valkyries have again made expansion franchise history, becoming the only team to make the WNBA finals in their second season. 

“This is a big dream come true to come to the finals in Year 2,” Head Coach Natalie Nakase said. “As we know, the job is not done, and we have to push to another gear.” 

The Valkyries will look to win their first championship against a team also seeking its first title, despite a 17-year head start. The Dream entered the WNBA in 2008 and are making their fourth finals appearance. Led by three 2026 All-Stars — Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray — they are yet another formidable opponent for Golden State, which has had to beat two All-Star-laden teams to get here. 

In the first round, they faced a Wings team led by one of the league’s brightest stars, Paige Bueckers.  Bueckers won Rookie of the Year and was an All-WNBA performer in 2025, and made the All-Star team again in Year 2. She was joined in the backcourt by four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, who made WNBA history against the Valkyries by scoring 45 points in Game 2, the league's highest-scoring playoff game. Dallas also had the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, All-Star forward Jessica Shepard. 

In the semifinals, the Valkyries had to go through five-time MVP A’ja Wilson and an Aces squad that won three of the last four WNBA championships. Wilson had two 2026 All-Star teammates: six-time All-Star Chelsea Gray and five-time All-Star Jackie Young. 

“It feels special because we have a special group,” Gabby Williams said after completing the sweep of the Aces. “Nobody believed in us, but it made us smile because all we need is each other. The culture, going into work every day, we believed we have something worth fighting for.” 

The Valkyries defeated these prestigious stars by leaning into their identity of depth and defense. Golden State has had 10 players play at least 10 minutes per game during these playoffs and has the postseason's highest-scoring bench, averaging 32.3 points per game. They have also been the most efficient playoff offense with a 114.0 offensive rating. Gabby Williams has been the team’s leading scorer (22.7 PPG), but other players have had moments to shine.  

“Our style is to empty the tank for 40 minutes,” Nakase said. “Playing just 7-8 players with that style isn’t sustainable.”

NOTABLE 2026 VALKYRIES PLAYOFF PERFORMANCES:

“Our depth allows us to be healthy and fresh,” Williams said. “That’s been our M.O. all season — whoever’s hot gets the ball.”

Defensively, the Valkyries have consistently ranked at the top of the league, first through the regular season (99.1 DEFRTG) and second in the playoffs (104.1 DEFRTG), just behind the Atlanta Dream (102.0 DEFRTG). In Game 1 of the semifinals, Golden State held the Aces to their lowest-scoring output of the season, allowing just 60 points and keeping Wilson well below her typical shooting efficiency in the series.

A’JA WILSON IN THE REGULAR SEASON

A’JA WILSON IN THE FIRST ROUND VS. FEVER

A’JA WILSON IN THE SEMIFINALS VS. VALKYRIES

The Valkyries have surrendered the fewest points per game this postseason (79.8 PPG), the fewest field goals (26.3 FGM), the fewest 3-pointers (7.5 3PM), and the fewest paint points (31.1 PPG). 

Golden State knows its formula. The Valkyries need four more wins to achieve their ultimate goal, three years ahead of CEO and Co-Executive Chairman Joe Lacob’s five-year timeline. They have earned home-court advantage for the Finals, and their quest to defend Ballhalla begins Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PT. 

"Ballhalla's been my safe place,” Williams said. “That's what gives me confidence. It gives us all confidence because we get to be our authentic selves here. There's some magic in this building. I swear there is."

The Valkyries first played at Chase Center for a preseason game on May 6, 2025 and 529 days later, they will host the WNBA Finals on that same floor. 

“This is incredible, what we planned and worked for,” Veronica Burton said. “A dream come true.” 

All information on 2026 Valkyries Playoff run can be found here.