The Golden State Valkyries showcased their defensive prowess in a 71-60 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals on October 4 at San Francisco’s Chase Center. Holding the defending champions to a season-low 60 points, the Valkyries underscored their season-long identity as a defense-first team.
Golden State’s defense was led by a dominant rebounding performance, outrebounding the Aces 52-25, including 17 offensive rebounds that generated 20 second-chance points. Forward Gabby Williams highlighted the team’s cohesion, emphasizing strong communication and physicality as key factors in limiting the Aces to only one possession late in the contest. “KT (Kayla Thornton) and Kiah (Stokes) really won this game for us,” Williams said.
Williams herself was instrumental on offense, contributing 25 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Known more for their defensive grit, the Valkyries looked to Williams’ aggressive playmaking to offset the Aces’ efforts. In earlier playoff rounds, Williams demonstrated her capacity to rise in high-pressure moments, including a strong second half performance in Game 3 against the Dallas Wings that helped Golden State secure their first playoff series win in franchise history.
The Valkyries entered this postseason riding on the strength of a top-ranked defense, having allowed opponents a league-low average of 74.8 points per game during the regular season and holding teams to under 70 points in 16 games—a WNBA record. Their ability to force turnovers and limit points in the paint has been a cornerstone of their success. Guard Tiffany Hayes highlighted the mental shift that came with the playoffs, recognizing the urgency of their “win or go home” scenario and the team’s commitment to executing their defensive schemes.
Home court advantage also played a significant role in Game 1’s outcome. The Chase Center, affectionately dubbed Ballhalla by fans, was packed with 18,064 spectators whose passionate and loud support created one of the league’s most challenging environments for visitors. The noise forced intense on-court communication among players and energized the Valkyries throughout the contest. Williams acknowledged the crowd’s impact, describing the atmosphere as a key factor in sustaining their energy and focus.
The Valkyries entered the semifinals as the highest remaining seed after the Minnesota Lynx were swept by the New York Liberty in the opening round. Golden State’s 17-5 regular-season home record and an undefeated 3-0 postseason mark at Ballhalla have reinforced their confidence when playing in front of their home fans. Even opponent Napheesa Collier of the Lynx noted the unique and intense experience of competing at the venue.
Having made their playoff debut last season as the eighth seed and suffered a first-round exit, the Valkyries, an expansion team founded in 2025, aim to capitalize on their rapid growth and deep postseason run. Hayes praised the collective work ethic of both players and staff as fundamental to the team’s progress, expressing the group’s shared commitment to continuous improvement and championship aspirations.
The semifinal series between Golden State and Las Vegas continues with Game 2 scheduled for October 7 at Chase Center. The Valkyries will look to maintain their defensive dominance and home court edge as they seek to advance to the WNBA Finals.