Sep 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard-forward Kaila Charles (6) and Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) celebrate after a break against the Dallas Wings in the second quarter during game one of the first round for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
By Michael Roberson
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The #2 seeded Golden State Valkyries (1-0) opened up the 20026 WNBA Playoffs a bang, as they blew out the Dallas Wings (0-1) 104-80 inside another sold out Ballhalla, in the City by the Bay.
The Valkyries scored the first basket of the game, but the Wings were very competitive with the higher ranked home team. The first 10 minutes of the contest had 4 ties and 6 lead changes. After the first quarter ended, it was a one point advantage for the Valkyries, 21-20.
The second stanza was a whole different animal. The Wings were outscored 37-11 in quarter number two, and seemingly was the beginning of the end. By the time the recess bell rang the Valkyries were up by 27 points, 58-31.
During the first 20 minutes of play three Valkyries were in double-digits, while Paige Bueckers was the only Wings’ player fitting that criteria. She Posted 17 points and 5 assists at the half. Cecelia Zandalasini led the Valkyries with 17 points, while Tiffany Hayes scored 15 and Gabby Williams contributed 13 points.
In the second half, Golden State led by as many as 36 points (3rd quarter) and kept the visitors from the Lone Star State at bay, with no real opportunity to make a comeback. Despite that huge advantage during the quarter, they were still only outscored by two points within that 10-minute block. Although the overall score after 30 minutes of regulation time, the Valkyries were up by 29 points, 85-56.
In the final quarter it was a foregone conclusion that the Valkyries were going to secure Game 1 of the playoffs. However, they were obligated to play the full 40 minutes. During the fourth stanza, Dallas actually outscored Golden State by five points. That only made the final score a little more cosmetically pleasing. At the final horn, the Bay Area Ballers had won the playoffs game by 24 points, 104-80.
The Valkyries had produced five players with at least 10 points scored by game’s end. Zandalasini led with 22 points, while Williams (20), Hayes (21), Burton (10) and Thorton (10) also contributed their numbers.
The Wings had four players reach that plateau. Buecker topped them with 21 points, Maddy Siegrist (11), Kitija Laksa (11) and Arike Ogunbowale (10) added to their team’s total.
Golden State leads the series 1-0.
The two teams will be in action again for Game 2 in Dallas, Texas on Wednesday September 30 at 6 PM PT/8 PM CT. If Golden State wins, the series is over. If Dallas wins, the Game 3 finale is back in San Francisco.
