The Golden State Valkyries opened their first playoff series on Sunday with a commanding 104-80 victory over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center in San Francisco. This marked not only the franchise’s postseason debut on their home court but also their emergence as genuine championship contenders in the W.IN.B.A.
The Valkyries started slowly, missing nine of their first 13 shots and allowing Dallas guard Paige Bueckers to score 11 points in the opening quarter. However, veteran Tiffany Hayes, 37, provided an immediate spark off the bench with a steal and fast-break layup, followed by a corner three-pointer and a driving layup. Her energy ignited the team and helped Golden State take control of the game.
Hayes’s leadership and confidence have been instrumental throughout the season as she encouraged her teammates to believe in their championship potential. “Don’t think because we're new this isn’t what it is,” Hayes said. “We’ve got the right pieces. We got the people. We do the right things.” Her mentality seemed to resonate on Sunday as the Valkyries outscored Dallas 37-11 during a decisive 10-minute stretch in the second quarter, pulling away from the Wings who struggled to keep pace.
Cecilia Zandalasini contributed 22 points, while Hayes added 21 and Gabby Williams 20. The Valkyries reached 100 points for the first time this season, shooting an efficient 18-for-36 from three-point range. Their success relied heavily on depth and team play rather than a single dominant star, complemented by aggressive perimeter defense and disciplined rotations.
Coach Natalie Nakase praised the team’s composure and ball movement during the key second-quarter run, noting the importance of patience in finding the right opportunities: “Gabby found her, everybody found her; that’s what we talk about with patience, and composure, and finding the right hand.”
Dallas head coach Jose Fernandez acknowledged Golden State’s strength off the bench, calling it “the No. 1 bench in the league,” with second-unit players capable of starting for other teams. Despite Bueckers’s strong start, the Wings were unable to sustain momentum against the Valkyries’ depth and intensity.
Game 2 of the best-of-three series is scheduled for Wednesday night in Arlington, Texas. While one victory does not guarantee a championship, the Valkyries’ performance underscored their growth from an expansion team to legitimate contenders. The team’s confidence, bolstered by a passionate home crowd and a successful regular season that included a road winning streak and a No. 2 seed, suggests they are prepared for a deep postseason run.
The Valkyries’ combination of energy, depth, and resilience showed in their ability to dismantle Dallas quickly, raising hopes that they may be able to sustain this level of play as they pursue their first W.IN.B.A. title.