The Golden State Valkyries made their WNBA debut on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Chase Center in San Francisco. The team, the WNBA’s first expansion franchise since 2008, was set to bring professional women’s basketball to the Bay Area. The sellout crowd of 18,064 was excited to see the Valkyries in action, with the arena transformed into Valkyries’ purple rather than the typical court for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
Kelsey Plum scored 26 of her 37 points in the second half and the Sparks spoiled the first game in Golden State Valkyries history with an 84-67 victory. Dearica Hamby added 14 points and Rickea Jackson scored 13 for the Sparks, who won in their first game under new coach Lynne Roberts. Kayla Thornton scored the first basket in Valkyries history on the team’s first possession, and there were quickly chants of "G-S-V! G-S-V!"
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Elias Guting, right, waits with other fans outside of Chase Center before a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Fans enter Chase Center before a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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California women’s basketball head coach Charmin Smith, middle, stands outside of Chase Center before a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Fans wait outside Chase Center before a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Valkyries t-shirts are placed on seats for fans at Chase Center before a WNBA basketball game between the Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Valkyries t-shirts are placed on seats for fans at Chase Center before a WNBA basketball game between the Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Players jump for the opening tip-off during the first half of a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, right, brings the ball up the court against Golden State Valkyries guard Kate Martin during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Sparks forward Azura Stevens, bottom, drives to the basket against Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes, right, reaches for the ball next to Sparks forward Dearica Hamby during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Fans at Chase Center watch during the first half of a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton, bottom right, shoots against Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, left, and guard Sarah Ashlee Barker during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, foreground left, fouls Golden State Valkyries guard Carla Leite during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) shoots against Sparks forward Dearica Hamby, left, and forward Rickea Jackson during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts, foreground, reacts after a score by Golden State Valkyries’ Julie Vanloo during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase gestures toward players during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, front row second from left, and owner Joe Lacob, middle, watch during the first half of a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
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Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) celebrates after scoring against the Golden State Valkyries during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Elias Guting, right, waits with other fans outside of Chase Center before a WNBA basketball game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Sparks in San Francisco, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Tiffany Hayes scored 19 points to lead Golden State, Temi Fagbenle added 15 and Julie Vanloo scored 14.
