Star-Studded Fans Witness Valkyries Blowout Over Storm 84-57

SAN FRANCISCO — Ballhalla is the place to be.

The Golden State Valkyries delivered a statement victory on Sunday night at Chase Center, dismantling the Seattle Storm 84–57 in front of yet another raucous, sellout crowd of 18,064 fans.

The win, which tied their largest margin of victory this season, lifted the Valkyries to 9–7 and showcased the defensive identity and collective toughness that have fueled the expansion franchise’s rise in the WNBA.

From the opening tip, the Valkyries set the tone with a 7–0 burst and never looked back, locking down a Storm team that entered the night leading the league in field-goal percentage. They also displayed the kind of grit that has made Golden State one of the league’s must-watch stories.

The energy inside Chase Center was amplified by the star-studded guests in attendance. Warriors two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, former Storm and Team USA star Sue Bird, and U.S. soccer legend Megan Rapinoe were among the celebrities on hand to watch the Valkyries continue to transform “Ballhalla” into one of the loudest, most passionate arenas in the WNBA.

The Valkyries have now sold out all ten of their home games in their inaugural season. This is a testament to the connection between the team and the Bay Area community, which has embraced their fast-paced, defensive-minded, and resilient style of play.

Tiffany Hayes exemplified that resilience, leading the Valkyries with a season-high 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting while adding four assists and three rebounds. Hayes played with an unmistakable edge and fearlessness, even after taking another hit to the face during the game. She was briefly seen holding her nose, a reminder of the nose injury she suffered earlier in the season.

When asked about maintaining her intensity despite the injury, Hayes replied, “I don't know, honestly, I can't tell you. It just comes from Ballhalla. Energy. You know, basketball gods just keep me going, um, because I want to play for the girls around me. I want to play for this team.”

Head coach Natalie Nakase praised Hayes for her ability to rise to the moment, especially after Kayla Thornton exited early in the third quarter with a neck injury.

“Yeah, I think Tip (Tiffany Hayes) has this skill set of being ready anytime, anywhere. That’s what I love about Tip — she’ll always make the right play no matter what the situation is,” Nakase said. “She understood when KT (Kayla Thornton) went out that she had to step up, and that’s what you saw. So I love Tip on my team.”

Veronica Burton added 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two blocks while going a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line. She continued her steady and poised contributions on both ends of the floor.

Laeticia Amihere had a career-high 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and showed her growth and confidence finishing around the rim. Kate Martin continued her strong play off the bench with 11 points and a +22 plus-minus, marking her third straight double-digit scoring effort. The Valkyries’ depth and versatility were evident against one of the league’s top teams.

Defensively, Golden State was suffocating. They held Seattle to a season-low 27 percent shooting from the field and just 18 points in the paint, far below the Storm’s usual production of 47.

The Valkyries limited Seattle to only 27 first-half points, the fewest they have allowed in any half this season. They maintained consistent pressure and communication across the floor.

Nakase highlighted her team’s growing identity as a defensive powerhouse, saying, “I think they're really — I wouldn't say the word so much is buy-in — but they're really coming into their own. Like I said, our killer mentality as an identity is really showing out.”

Veronica Burton credited the defensive effort to the team’s preparation and commitment to one another, noting, “We definitely executed our game plan. We have a defense that is reliant on trusting one another, and I think we really did that to a T tonight.”

She added, “Each and every player on our team takes pride in that, and so that’s impressive and something that we want to build on. That’s a standard we want to continue to enforce throughout the rest of the season.”

Seattle’s Skylar Diggins led the Storm with 18 points, while Nneka Ogwumike, returning to the Bay Area where she starred at Stanford, was held to eight points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Despite missing Carla Leite for the fourth straight game with a back injury, Golden State’s depth continued to deliver. Temi Fagbenle returned from EuroBasket duties to add interior presence in her 20 minutes of action.

After the game, Coach Natalie Nakase admitted with a laugh that she didn’t even know Warriors star Steph Curry was in attendance. He blended in, sitting only 50 feet from the Valkyries bench, with the packed Chase Center crowd that has become the Valkyries’ fortress.

Focused on managing rotations, defensive matchups, and keeping the energy high on the bench, Nakase was locked into the game plan and didn’t spot the two-time NBA MVP sitting only a stone’s throw away from the bench amid the roar of another sellout.

It was a reminder of how dialed in Nakase and her staff have been during this inaugural season. They have tuned out distractions and focused on building a culture rooted in hard work and togetherness, even when Bay Area royalty quietly shows up to witness the Valkyries’ rise in person.

For the Valkyries, Sunday was more than a win. It was another clear signal of what this team is building in the Bay Area. With grit, defense, and a relentless spirit embodied by leaders like Hayes, the Golden State Valkyries continue to exceed expectations while turning every night at Ballhalla into a celebration of basketball, community, and the place to be.

UP NEXT

• The Valkyries hit the road on Saturday, July 5 to take on the Minnesota Lynx at 5 p.m. PT on KPIX, KMAX, and The Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.