The Golden State Valkyries etched their names into WNBA history by becoming the first-ever expansion team to qualify for the playoffs in their debut season after their pivotal 84-80 victory over the Dallas Wings.

This not only showcased their resilience but also secured their playoff berth, marking one of the most impressive inaugural campaigns the league has ever seen.

The Wings jumped to a 13-point lead in the second half, but the Valkyries rallied back with resolve to eventually take the win at the end.

Just as it has been all season long, the Valkyries did it with a team effort. Janelle Salaun poured in a team-high 19 points while Veronica Burton delivered the dagger three-point play with just 22.3 seconds left, followed by four clutch free throws to ice the win. Carla Leite added 15 points, while Monique Billings came up with a key block in the final minutes.

The electrifying energy of a sold-out Chase Center – nicknamed “Ballhalla” by fans – fueled the Valkyries’ late-game heroics in front of a packed house and crowd.

With the win, Golden State (now holding a 23–18 record) officially claimed the sixth seed in the eight-team playoff bracket and currently sits within striking distance of a higher seed.

They will face the third seed in the first round, with their matchup still based on the final seeding which could still shift over the remaining regular-season games.

ANALYSIS: This is a first-year miracle for an expansion franchise, as no other expansion team in WNBA history has made the playoffs in their debut year. The Valkyries' run defied expectations – from roster construction in picking the right players from different teams to run their desired system to the translation of their on-court chemistry.

The Valkyries have also set league expansion records, as they have sold out every home game (averaging over 18,000 fans at "Ballhalla") and energized the Bay Area sports scene.

Their leadership has been nothing short of phenomenal, led by head coach Natalie Nakase, GM Ohemaa Nyanin, and team president Jess Smith by delivering an effective blueprint for elite performance under debut-season constraints.

Overcoming deficits, injuries, and lineup turnover, the Valkyries leaned on depth, cohesion, and incredible poise never before seen from a first-year squad – deemed worthy enough for their first-ever playoff appearance.