Just two years into their existence, the Golden State Valkyries have already brought championship-level basketball to the Bay Area.
The Valks took on the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday, and the Chase Center fandom, nicknamed Ballhalla in a nod to the Norse roots of the team’s name, came out in force to celebrate the historic moment. Purple flooded the arena as Golden State took the first step to bring another title back to Mission Bay. It wasn’t just about the fact that almost everyone in the crowd was wearing a playoff jersey, a striking juxtaposition of the Warriors’ playoff games at Chase, but also through the creative outfits dedicated to this beloved team.
But this team and its fans knew it wasn’t enough to get this far. After a slow start and a third quarter where they were held to just nine points, the Valkyries entered the fourth with a resurgent performance that helped them secure the 68-64 Game 1 victory over the Dream.
Gabby Williams coached the team to victory as the only Golden State player with double-digit scoring. She finished with 26 points, four rebounds and two assists. The celebrations following the final buzzer were so loud that players were seen covering their ears as they prepared to enter the locker room. Golden State will look to double its lead on Monday for Game 2.
Here are some of the best shots from one of the biggest days in Bay Area women’s basketball history.
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