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The series closer, after Thursday’s 80-69 loss to the Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena, will net either the Dream or the Valkyries the first championship title in their franchise history.
Some fans were frustrated that they weren’t able to watch the game because of work: the WNBA faced backlash over the 9:30 a.m. Pacific starting time of the game, decided at the 11th hour to accommodate a scheduling conflict with the Atlanta Hawks at the arena. Some Valkyries’ devoted fans, however, could not be deterred from following them to Georgia and from showing up to watch parties around the Bay in the middle of the morning.
A win would be especially meaningful for the Valkyries and all of the violet-clad fans who will be filling the Chase Center this weekend. They’d become the quickest WNBA expansion franchise to win the finals in just their second season.
The Valkyries have set high expectations for themselves and stunned fans since their inaugural season in 2025. Golden State reached the playoffs in their first season, and have built a large, dedicated following that’s helped them become the most valuable WNBA franchise, valued at around $850 million by Sportico.
Both teams will have to show that they want to win for a fourth time on Saturday as the series goes the distance. The Valkyries know that they have played well all season, and will get another chance to win — and clinch the championship title — in front of their devoted fanbase.
The Golden State Valkyries will head to a first-ever Game 7 in the WNBA Finals, and will return back to Ballhalla — also known as “Boohalla” — on Halloween.
✍️📹: Natalia Navarro and Juan Carlos Lara
🎬: Darren Tu