The Valkyries shot 30.3% from the field in the first half and trailed by as much as 11. Janelle Salaün and Tiffany Hayes combined to score 16 points to keep the Valkyries within striking distance as the Wings took a 36-30 lead at halftime.

With 22 games left in the season, the Valkyries are a half-game behind the Las Vegas Aces for the final playoff spot. Should Golden State make the postseason, it would be the first expansion team to make the playoffs in WNBA history.

Bueckers’ excellent campaign hasn’t been enough to carry Dallas, though. They still remain one of the worst teams in the league. Currently, their 7-18 record is the second-worst in the WNBA, behind only the Connecticut Sun, who are at 3-20.

Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers (5) dribbles the ball against Valkyries’ Kaitlyn Chen (2) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, July 25, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

Expansion franchises have historically struggled in Year 1. But Golden State is fighting for a WNBA playoff spot.

The Golden State Valkyries are preparing for their first game post-All-Star-break when they take on the struggling Dallas Wings Friday evening at Chase Center i

"She's a Dog": WNBA Champion Sends Strong Message to Coach Amid Historic Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Through 22 games of their inaugural season, the Golden State Valkyries have firmly planted themselves in the Western Conference playoff conversation.