If you saw the Chase Center, you must have also wondered–why did it take so long? For years, the Bay Area fans have been waiting for the WNBA to come to their doors. So, it is natural to ask why it took 17 years for the league to introduce an expansion. But once fans knew they would soon get to witness it all live, they didn’t waste a second in saying “Let’s Go Valkyries”. Who cares if the tip-off is days away, right? Anyway, it’s all done and dusted now. The chants were as loud as expected, and the newest team even made a record of its own that the upcoming expansions will be hoping to touch.

While the team ultimately lost their debut 84-67 to the Los Angeles Sparks, not one fan cared. Their foam fingers were still held up high and they never missed out on a standing ovation. And how could they not? Twenty nine years have passed since WNBA’s debut and another twenty six have passed since they had a women’s pro basketball team they could call their own. So, after a great response in the preseason, the 18,064 fans flocked up the seats in purple, setting a record for the highest attendance on any franchise’s debut game.

And the Coach was already happy at seeing so many Asian-Americans celebrate her in the stands. “I looked around and I was like, wow, there’s a lot of Asian Americans here,” said Natalie Nakase, who is Japanese American. “It’s so special especially when you can hear them say, ‘Oh I want to be like her.’ To understand that I can make an impact on someone’s life, to inspire them, there’s no better feeling.” So, what does one do when there is such positivity? Amidst the loss, even the coach didn’t sulk and took away majorly the positives with her.

The Valkyries HC cited the team’s zone defense as a positive from the game. Reflecting on the game, Nakase said, “We started off small. And then we decided to go double big, just to give it a different look. Mixed in some zone. Actually, they didn’t practice zone that much, so that was the positive we took away that we barely worked on zone, and that was our best defence.”

Well, it is not jsut optimism. For an expansion team to hold their own in the first two quarters and to even pose like they might run away with it? Not what anyone expected. They were short-handed and yet they pulled off a 12-4 run entering the fourth quarter. The team had just nine available players and two of them had never played a WNBA game. Moreover, the GSVs trailed by just three at halftime. Along with their offensive game, the defense played a solid role in the game, allowing them a chance to make multiple comebacks in the game. The Valkyries shot 36.5% from the floor and went 9-for-35 from deep, while the Sparks shot 46.0% from the floor against the Valkyries’ zone defensive look, which they didn’t unveil in the preseason. So, even though the Bay Area franchise didn’t get the win on its first go, there were a few positives to cherish and, of course, the fandom that supports them.

“It was amazing,” Guard Tiffany Hayes said after the game. “I enjoyed myself. We got a lot to work on. It was a tough game. But all in all, the crowd really gave us a lot of life out there.”  So, yes, had it not been for all those who cheered, the loss might have stung, but now the Valkyries thrive on it. Because someday, Valkyries will give the same winning feeling to the fanbase.

Talking about the support, it was not only spectators in attendance that backed the Valks, the Warriors franchise also showed its full support to the ‘W’ team from the region. The franchise’s most successful coach, Steve Kerr, was in the Valkyries T and looked satisfied with the efforts. And nearby was Jonathan Kuminga, who even admitted to feeling jealjous because of the electric atmosphere. And yes, there must have been jokes whether Julie Vanloo would ever be ready in case Curry sat out a game with a minor ankle tweak. We hope he doesn’t though!

“I couldn’t be more excited,” Kerr said before the matchup. “I think watching everything unfold over the last year, year and a half since the franchise was formed.  It’s been incredible to watch. I think the branding has been amazing, the name, the colors, just kind of the unveiling of the team. … This is just an incredible story. We have a lot of people here in this building who deserve a lot of credit for what’s about to unfold, so a lot of fun.” Kerr himself has been part of the Warriors’ rebuild and knows its importance.

Coach Natalie Nakase had the date marked on her calendar as it was her first regular season game as WNBA franchise HC. She was grateful for the support. But on the record-setting night for the Valkyries, Kelsey Plum also broke a record…

Kelsey Plum ruins the Golden State Valkyries ‘ night setting.

The Valkyries were preparing for their first-ever WNBA regular season game, but for the Sparks, it was a chance to make a mark on the 2025 season and restablish their reputation. Making her debut for the LA side, Plum rewrote history books with a massive 37-point performance. The points scored were highest on the opening night of the WNBA season, surpassing Napheesa Collier’s 34-point tally. Her six assists and five steals? They also set her apart as the only player with a game of at least 35 points, 5 assists and 5 steals.

And to think she was there to just have fun? Well, women’s basketball is really onto something and we are all for it. “The mentality for me tonight was really just come out and have fun,” said Plum. “I love basketball. I love to play basketball. Just compete, and we have a great group,” after shooting 11-of-19 from the field and 11-of-11 from the free throw line.

Even Natalie Nakase was pretty proud of her ex-player, as she was the assistant coach at Aces. “That is the Kelsey I am used to,” she said “She was able to get downhill to her left, something we talked about … but she’s fearless. She wants to get into the paint. If not, she wants an and-1. If not, she’s playing off two feet, or she’s getting to a step-back 3. That’s the Kelsey that I know.”

Well, it seems like WNBA this year is all about support, breaking records, healthy competition, and good vibes. And we hope it remains that way!