The Golden State Valkyries secured their place in the 2026 WNBA playoffs with a statement 78-70 victory over the Dallas Wings on Monday night at Chase Center.
Golden State extended its winning streak to six games while improving to 25-9, the second-best record in the WNBA. The victory also marked the Valkyries’ second consecutive postseason appearance since the franchise was established.
Golden State Valkyries Take Control Against Dallas Wings
The Valkyries relied on their trademark defensive intensity to overcome the Wings and build a lead that Dallas could not erase.
Golden State forced 18 turnovers and converted those mistakes into 20 points. The Valkyries also limited Dallas to 22% shooting from three-point range, making it difficult for the Wings to generate consistent offense.
Gabby Williams led Golden State with 23 points and six rebounds, while Veronica Burton added 16 points, five assists and four rebounds.
The home crowd at Chase Center provided another major boost, with more than 18,000 fans creating an intense atmosphere as Golden State celebrated its latest franchise milestone.
Second Quarter Proved Decisive
Dallas entered the game with early offensive momentum, shooting 9-of-16 from the field in the opening quarter. However, the Wings could not maintain that efficiency.
Golden State turned the game around in the second quarter, finishing the first half with an 18-3 run.
Dallas scored only nine points in the second quarter while shooting 3-of-14 from the field. Five turnovers in the period further fueled Golden State’s surge.
The Valkyries carried a 44-28 advantage into halftime, creating a deficit Dallas could not overcome.
Paige Bueckers Finds Her Rhythm Too Late
Paige Bueckers struggled early against Golden State’s aggressive defense. She made only one of her first seven shots in the opening half.
Bueckers eventually found her rhythm after halftime, scoring 19 of her 21 points in the second half. She finished 8-of-18 from the field in 34 minutes.
However, Bueckers also committed seven turnovers, a season high, as Dallas struggled to handle Golden State’s defensive pressure.
Golden State’s Bench Makes the Difference
One of the biggest advantages for the Valkyries was their depth.
Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaun each scored 10 points off the bench, helping Golden State dominate Dallas’ second unit.
The Valkyries’ bench outscored the Wings’ bench 27-12, highlighting the difference in depth between the two teams.
Hayes provided veteran leadership and energy, while Salaun delivered timely offense as Golden State maintained control.
Dallas Makes a Late Push
The Wings showed more life after halftime and briefly threatened to make the game competitive.
Bueckers hit a long three-pointer in the third quarter to reduce Golden State’s advantage to single digits, but the Valkyries quickly answered.
Dallas entered the fourth quarter trailing 62-46. The Wings later cut the margin to 66-55 after an Alanna Smith steal and transition score.
Dallas eventually outscored Golden State 28-12 down the stretch, but the late surge was not enough.
The Wings have now lost eight of their last 11 games, continuing a difficult stretch as injuries have affected their rotation.
Valkyries’ Defense Continues to Lead the Way
Golden State’s success has been built around defense, and the victory over Dallas once again demonstrated why.
The Valkyries consistently pressured the ball, disrupted passing lanes and forced Dallas into difficult decisions. Their 18 turnovers were particularly damaging because Golden State converted many of those mistakes into points.
Head coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged that the team still has room to improve defensively, particularly after halftime.
Golden State allowed Dallas to score 24 points in the fourth quarter, emphasizing the need for the Valkyries to maintain their intensity for all four quarters.
Golden State Reaches Another Franchise Milestone
The victory represents another major step forward for the young Golden State franchise.
The Valkyries are now 25-9 and have established a new franchise record for victories in a season. They are also the third WNBA team to clinch a playoff berth this year, joining the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces.
More importantly, Golden State has established a clear identity built around defense, depth, teamwork and relentless effort.
What Comes Next?
Golden State will now focus on maintaining its position near the top of the WNBA standings and building momentum heading into the postseason.
The Valkyries have shown that their defense can trouble strong offensive teams, while their bench gives them another weapon during a long regular season.
Dallas, meanwhile, must find a way to regain consistency. The Wings have shown they can compete with top opponents, but slow starts, turnovers and injuries have repeatedly hurt them.
Final Takeaway
The Wings vs. Valkyries matchup ultimately belonged to Golden State.
The Valkyries combined disruptive defense, strong bench production and timely scoring to defeat Dallas 78-70 and clinch a playoff berth. Gabby Williams’ 23-point performance led the way, while Veronica Burton, Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaun provided crucial support.
For Dallas, Paige Bueckers’ strong second half was encouraging, but her seven turnovers and the team’s disastrous second quarter proved too costly.
Golden State’s latest victory extended its winning streak to six games and reinforced the team’s status as one of the WNBA’s most complete teams heading toward the playoffs.
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