SAN FRANCISCO ― The Golden State Valkyries have clinched a postseason berth after rattling off a sixth-consecutive win following a dominant performance against the Dallas Wings in a 78-70 victory on Monday, Aug. 17.
It was a complete team effort as the Valkyries received contributions from different players whenever the team needed someone to step up. The atmosphere was nonstop, rambunctiously loud throughout the game as more than 18,000 fans showcased why Chase Center — known as Ballhalla to the Valkyries and fans — is one of the toughest places to play in the WNBA.
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The Valkyries responded to their fanfare with havoc-wrecking defensive plays and turned around to deliver a series of 3-pointers to build upon their lead. Golden State was led by Gabby Williams with 23 points and six rebounds.
Veronica Burton put up 16 points, five assists and four rebounds to help balance Golden State’s attack.
Defense is where they hung their hats. As a team, they forced the Wings into 18 turnovers, with Golden State scoring 20 points off takeaways.
The victory gives the Valkyries their second consecutive postseason appearance. It is also their 25th win of the season, which continues to extend a franchise record. The Valkyries’ 25-9 record is the second best mark in the WNBA. The Valkyries also are the third team to secure a playoff spot this season, joining the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces.
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“I’m more excited just about how we’ve done it more than us doing it. I knew we were going to do it since I got here, but I didn’t expect us to do it this way and have this much fun,” Williams said after the game. “Every game I go into, I have zero doubt because I know some way we’re going to figure it out. We’re going to stay together, and I think that’s what I didn’t expect to be so great. Of course, I wanted to, and I had a feeling. But to live it every day has been amazing.”
Here are takeaways from their Aug. 17 game against the Dallas Wings:
Winners
Here are some of the positive takeaways from the Valkyries win against the Wings:
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Valkyries’ defense-first mindset
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase has her team playing with a defensive mindset. It’s the engine that makes the team go.
Golden State forced 18 turnovers against the Wings. It also held Dallas to 22% shooting from 3-point distance. Wings scoring leader Paige Bueckers was held to 1-for-7 shooting in the first half. She finished with 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting, yet committed seven turnovers.
Second unit changed the game
Golden State’s cheat code is their depth. The way the Valkyries can bring players off the bench and not miss a beat is a superpower. In some cases, the team gets a burst once subs are made. The energy shifts. If it was high before, it’s even more maxed when Tiffany Hayes, Kaitlyn Chen and Janelle Salaun are in the game.
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“It’s been incredible. I mean, Tip’s seriously insane,” Burton said about Hayes. “I think her ability to do what she does, to pour into this team, to take care of her body the way that she does too, because it’s not easy doing what she’s doing. But she’s so selfless, and then she can take over a game in an instant. To do that coming off the bench is incredible.”
Salaun and Hayes each scored 10 points off the bench, pacing the Valkyries’ second unit. They helped Golden State outscore Dallas’ bench, 27-12, throughout the contest.
“I think she changes the game, and obviously it’s incredible to have her,” Burton continued. “Last year she was up and down just in terms of availability, but she adds so much, and she had that veteran experience too, and the passion. Like when you see Tip playing hard, you know you need to play hard too, because if she can do it, we all should be doing it. And she’s just fun. Like she has so much fun playing the game of basketball. So brings it out of all of us.”
Valkyries culture shines
Golden State clinched its second postseason berth. The Valkyries have developed a culture in their two seasons since forming the franchise. They’ve proven that their style of play is a successful method that translates to winning. It’s all for one, team-inspired basketball where it’s next player up. Through that they’ve set a tone within their organization that attracts blue-collar, hard-working players that will emphasize defense before offense, that will come.
The Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22), Kaitlyn Chen (2) and the bench celebrate after a basket against the Dallas Wings at Chase Center on Aug. 17, 2026.
Losers
Here are some takeaways to consider ahead of the Valkyries’ next game:
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Valkyries’ defenses lapse after halftime
Golden State held Dallas to just nine points in the second quarter. Specifically, the Valkyries held a one-point lead, 26-25, with 5:55 remaining in the second quarter. Head coach Natalie Nakase called a timeout because they couldn’t get a stop against Dallas. They then ended the half on an 18-3 run.
“Not good again,” Nakase said after the game about the team’s defense. “Second quarter was good. I thought we came out super flat. So that’s again why I’m like maybe why I didn’t push them hard enough in practice. If we came out very, very flat, I didn’t think we had that burst. I thought they were very comfortable, and then the second quarter we just locked it. We started communicating. We started covering. We started shifting more. We started pressuring more.”
However, they were outscored in the second half, including allowing the Wings to have a 24-point fourth quarter.
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“And then third was okay,” she added. “And then the fourth, I just thought we just felt like we just do things where not that I even want perfection, but I just want empty the tank for four quarters. But I would say they did battle tonight. I think the overall battle and composure was there.”
Paige Bueckers’ second-half
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers had an off-night in the first half. However, a night-and-day performance when compared with the second half. The first half, she shot 1-for-7, but Bueckers finished with 21 points after shooting 7-for-11 in the second half.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Golden State Valkyries clinch playoff berth: Takeaways from milestone win
