The Golden State Valkyries became the first WNBA expansion franchise to make the playoffs in their first season, clinching their bid with an 84-80 victory over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center.
“This is awesome, honestly,” Veronica Burton said. “It’s a testament to all of the work that we put in, a testament to the belief that our coaching staff had in us.
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“To do it with the group that we did, we’re just enjoying it, soaking it in. Obviously, there is a long road ahead of us, but (we’re) able to sit and enjoy it.”
Burton finished with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and five assists. Forward Janelle Salaun led Golden State with 19 points. Carla Leite scored 15 on 6-of-8 shooting.
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase made it clear while making the playoffs is nice, there is more to do.
“We’re not done yet. Maybe after the season, after this is all done, I’ll reflect,” she said. “I’ve got to stay present. I’ve got to stay where my feet are … and I think that’s why we’ve been able to do what we do, because we stay present. I don’t really allow them to celebrate. They can obviously enjoy this, but I also keep them humble. Y’all want to continue to make strides? Then let’s stay focused.”
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The Connecticut Sun’s Aaliyah Edwards grabs a rebound over the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler during the second half at CareFirst Arena on Aug. 19. The Sun won the game, 80-69.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Aaliyah Edwards grabs a rebound over the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler during the second half at CareFirst Arena on Aug. 19. The Sun won the game, 80-69.
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The Dallas Wings’ Maddy Siegrist blocks a shot by the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson during the second quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena on Aug. 17.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Allemand (20) tries to control the ball during an Aug. 15 game against the Dallas Wings.
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) moves past Dallas Wings center Luisa Geiselsoder (18) during the first half of their Aug. 15 game.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) beats the Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams to the rebound during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on Aug. 13.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ mascot, Violet, is introduced during halftime of the game against the Connecticut Sun at Chase Center on Aug. 11
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The Connecticut Sun’s Aneesah Morrow controls a rebound against the Golden State Valkyries’ Cecilia Zandalasini during the first quarter at Chase Center on Aug. 11.
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The Washington Mystics’ Jacy Sheldon (4) has her shot blocked by the Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru during the first half at College Park Center on Aug. 10. The Mystics won the game, 91-78.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Jordin Canada (3) defends against the Chicago Sky’s Ariel Atkins (7) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 7.
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The Chicago Sky’s Kamilla Cardoso (10) shoots against the Washington Mystics during the first half at Wintrust Arena on Aug. 5. The Sky won the game, 78-64.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray (15) shoots over the Washington Mystics’ Sonia Citron (22) during the third quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park on Aug. 3. The Dream won the game, 99-83.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Maya Caldwell (33) shoots past the Dallas Wings’ Luisa Geiselsoder during the first half at College Park Center on July 30.
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The Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese (5) shoots the ball as the Washington Mystics’ Kiki Iriafen (44) defends during the first half at CareFirst Arena on July 29. The Mystics won the game, 103-86.
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The New York Liberty’s Isabelle Harrison looks to move to the basket past the Dallas Wings’ Myisha Hines-Allen (2), Paige Bueckers (5) and Li Yueru (28) during the first half at College Park Center on July 28.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Haley Peters (7) and Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) work for the rebound during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 27. The Sun won the game, 95-64.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10) defends against the Los Angeles Sparks’ Rae Burrell during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 24.
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The Washington Mystics’ Aaliyah Edwards (24) reacts after a foul call against the Los Angeles Sparks during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena on July 22.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) drives against the Seattle Storm’s Skylar Diggins during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on July 16. The Storm won the game, 67-58.
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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Dearica Hamby (5) reaches in for the ball controlled by the Washington Mystics’ Emily Engstler (21) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on July 15. The Sparks won the game, 99-80.
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The Chicago Sky’s Elizabeth Williams (1) defends against the Minnesota Lynx’s Jessica Shepard during the first half at Wintrust Arena on July 14. The Lynx won the game, 91-78.
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The Atlanta Dream’s Jordin Canada (3) collides with the New York Liberty’s Nyara Sabally during the first quarter at Barclays Center on July 13. The Liberty won the game, 79-72.
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The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark calls timeout while the Golden State Valkyries’ Tiffany Hayes defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 9. The Valkyries won the game, 80-61.
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The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart (left) and Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young (0) fight for a loose ball during the third quarter at Barclays Center on July 8. The Liberty won the game, 87-78.
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The Las Vegas Aces’ Kierstan Bell (1) blocks the shot of the Connecticut Sun’s Aneesah Morrow (24) during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on July 6. The Aces won the game, 86-68.
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The Minnesota Lynx’s Diamond Miller fouls the Golden State Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle while shooting in the fourth quarter at Target Center on July 5.
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The Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes (20) looks toward the ball after losing control against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half at Target Center on July 3.
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The Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull (10) and Los Angeles Sparks’ Rickea Jackson vie for possession of the ball during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 26. The Sparks won the game, 85-75.
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The Seattle Storm’s Zia Cooke (7) shoots the ball while guarded by the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena on June 24.
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The Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham (8) fouls the Las Vegas Aces’ Tiffany Mitchell (3) during the first half at T-Mobile Arena on June 22. The Aces won the game, 89-81.
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The Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers (5) shoots the ball against the Washington Mystics during the second half at Entertainment & Sports Arena on June 22. The Mystics won the game, 91-88, in overtime.
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The Connecticut Sun’s Marina Mabrey (3) fouls Caitlin Clark during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 17. The Indiana Fever won the game, 88-71.
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The Las Vegas Aces’ Jackie Young (0) shoots the ball as the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith (8) attempts to block the ball during the first half at Target Center on June 17.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ Laeticia Amihere (3) and Dallas Wings’ Li Yueru (28) go for the ball during the first half at College Park Center on June 17.
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The Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) shoots the ball while the New York Liberty’s Kennedy Burke defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 14. The Fever won the game, 102-88.
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The Dallas Wings’ DiJonai Carrington (21) makes a pass around the Las Vegas Aces’ Aaliyah Nye during the third quarter at Michelob Ultra Arena on June 13. The Aces won the game, 88-84.
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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum (10) attempts to score a layup as the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson defends during the second half at Michelob Ultra Arena on June 11. The Sparks won the game, 97-89.
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The LA Sparks’ Emma Cannon (32) and Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) battle for the ball during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on June 9.
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The Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes (20) attempts a lay up in front of the Connecticut Sun’s Tina Charles (31) during the first quarter at CareFirst Arena on June 8. The Mystics won the game, 104-67.
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The Golden State Valkyries’ Cecilia Zandalasini shoots against the Las Vegas Aces during the first quarter at Chase Center on June 7. The Valkyries won the game, 95-68.
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The Los Angeles Sparks’ Azura Stevens (23) and Dallas Wings’ Teaira McCowan go for the ball during the second half at College Park Center on June 6. The Sparks won the game, 93-79.
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The Phoenix Mercury’s Megan McConnell (16) shoots the ball from her knees over the Minnesota Lynx’s Alanna Smith (8) during the second half at Target Center on June 3.
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The Las Vegas Aces’ Chelsea Gray (12) collides with the Los Angeles Sparks’ Kelsey Plum (10) during the fourth quarter of their game at Michelob Ultra Arena on May 30.
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LA Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) is fouled by Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on May 27, 2025.
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The Seattle Storm’s Ezi Magbegor (13) goes to the basket against the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (24) during the first quarter at Target Center on May 27, 2025.
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The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart (30) shoots the ball while the Indiana Fever’s Aliyah Boston (7) defends during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 24, 2025.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Dream in the third quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) passes the ball against the Indiana Fever in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) shoots against the Indiana Fever in the first half at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) shoots against the Atlanta Dream in the second half at State Farm Arena on May 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) brings the ball up court against the New York Liberty during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) jokes with Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith (2) brings the ball up court against the New York Liberty during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Ariel Atkins (7) during the first half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) talks to her teammates during the second half against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) drives to the basket against New York Liberty forward Kennedy Burke (22) during the second half at Wintrust Arena on May 22, 2025 in Chicago.
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Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes (20) celebrates after a basket against the Golden State Valkyries in the fourth quarter at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) brings the ball up as Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) defends her in the fourth quarter at Target Center on May 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) works around Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton (6) in the third quarter at Target Center on May 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (14) congratulates guard Veronica Burton (22) after Burton made a three point basket at the buzzer against the Washington Mystics in the second quarter at Chase Center on May 21, 2025 in San Francisco.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) fouls Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half at Footprint Center on May 21, 2025 in Phoenix.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives on Phoenix Mercury guard Alexa Held (1) in the first half at Footprint Center on May 21, 2025 in Phoenix.
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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts after a call against the Connecticut Sun in the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Jacy Sheldon (4) in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) makes the basket against the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 20, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) looks to pass the ball by Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the first half at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.
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Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler (17) celebrates from the team bench during the first half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.
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Dallas Wings forward Maddy Siegrist (20) collides with Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) during the second half at College Park Center on May 19 in Arlington, Texas.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles Sparks guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (13) looks to pass against Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Sparks forward Azura Stevens (23) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Golden State has three regular-season games remaining – two against the league-leading Minnesota Lynx – with each having a ramifications on the playoff seedings. With three regular-season games left, the Valkyries are 23-18 and sit in sixth place in the WNBA standings.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden State Valkyries reach WNBA playoffs in first season
