Kelsey Plum notches 37 points as Sparks triumph over Valkyries in their inaugural game, 84-67.
In the heart of San Francisco, the brand-new Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA's first expansion team since 2008, made their grand debut on May 16, 2025. The sellout crowd of 18,064 spectators, excitedly filling the arena, transformed the usual NBA digs into a sea of purple, Valkyries colors. Despite the thrilling atmosphere, the franchise's initial game ended with a narrow 84-67 loss against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Kayla Thornton etched her name in the team's history books as she netted the first basket of the Valkyries' existence during their opening possession. Tiffany Hayes displayed impressive leadership, scoring 19 points for the Bay Area newcomers. Temi Fagbenle and Julie Vanloo added 15 and 14 points, respectively, to the team's total.
The Valkyries' arrival in the WNBA scene kicked off with the hiring of Ohemaa Nyanin as general manager in 2024, followed by the appointment of Natalie Nakase as head coach in the same year. The team assembled its roster through an expansion draft, free agency, and the 2025 WNBA draft. In the final run-up to the season, the Valkyries made their final roster cuts[3][4][1].
Although they faced their first loss, the Valkyries aim to make their mark as they embark upon the 44-game regular season, breaking new ground for WNBA history[2]. As they forge their path, they anticipate the usual challenges of an expansion team but have a relatively positive outlook compared to other initial-year squads, with projections suggesting they might win around 11 to 13 games.
Next up, the Sparks host Minnesota on their home opener on Sunday, while the Valkyries prepare for their next battle against Washington on May 20, 2025[4][5]. Buckle up for an exciting season filled with intense competition, as the Golden State Valkyries carve their niche in the WNBA!
[1] https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/36343790/[2] https://theathletic.com/2743540/2021/11/17/ranking-all-wnba-expansion-drafts-since-1997/[3] https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/wnba/ct-spt-wnba-basketball-wnba-news- Summary-20211117-dgti2bb6fjd4b6yi2aouew65jm-story.html[4] https://www.wnba.com/golden-state-valkyries/[5] https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/The-Golden-State-Valkyries-have-arrived-So-17244617.php
The Golden State Valkyries, newly based in Toronto, eagerly await their opportunity to make a splash in the WNBA, with their next game set against the Mystics on May 20th. The team's notable players, such as Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Temi Fagbenle, and Julie Vanloo, are taking the league by storm, adding fuel to the excitement surrounding the franchise. Despite the initial loss to the Los Angeles Sparks, the Valkyries are optimistic about their prospects, aiming to notch 11 to 13 wins during the regular season.
