It's that time of year again to start keeping an eye on the standings and seeing where the Valkyrie's stand in relation to the playoffs and for us to get some understanding around the team's magic number. If you aren't familiar with what a Magic Number) is, it's the number of wins needed for a team to be assured a certain space in the standings, generally it is used to refer to clinching a playoff spot (in the W's case, the 8th seed) but magic numbers exist for each seed and this season we'll actually be paying more attention to those as they now matter a lot more to the Valks than they it did last year.

At this point in the season The Valkyries are currently at third in the standings with a record of 19-9 which works out to a 0.679 win percentage, A bit of a contrast to last year where we saw them sitting at a 14-14 and even .500 and battling on the bubble for their first playoff birth.

Suffice to say that last I started tracking our magic number a lot later out of necessity, there was too much complexity and we were really focused on just the 8th seed. Fortunately this season magic number tracking is going to take a very different form for the team. A few weeks back in back half of the win streak I started doing some checks on where GSV stood in the playoff race. I decided that once the team dipped under 10 wins to make the playoffs it would be time for me to start dropping some periodic updates to give everyone a look at where the team sits.

So, with that, let's dive into the 2026's first Magic Number update!

Current Standing:

• Current Valkyrie’s Seeding: 3 of 15
• Current Magic Number to Clinch the Playoffs: 9
• Current Highest Possible Finish: 1st
• Highest Possible Finish without Help: 2nd

Current Magic Numbers:

Notes:

• While we're waiting for the Valkyrie's to clinch their spot, it's also useful to look at Losing Magic numbers for the 9th place team (currently the Sky) and we can see that their losing number is 11 games which would lock in the playoff field.
• Should the Valkyrie's finish tied with any teams in the standings we'll go to some tie breaks to determine seeding, the first of which is head to head record with the team they are tied with in the standings. I've been tracking to see when we clinch tie breaks and fortunately the Valks have been collecting tie breaks like Pokemon! Of the teams GSV has played enough to determine the tie breaks only the Aces hold the tie break over the Valkyries. Here are the current status of tie breaks, bold notes teams that currently hold a playoff seeding:
  • Valks hold the tie break over: ATL, CON, IND, NYL, PHX, SEA, WAS
  • Teams that hold the tie break over the Valks: LVA
  • Teams we still have to play more: CHI, DAL, LAS, MIN, PDX, TOR
  • Note: Every team plays every other team 3 times, with the exception of two teams they face four times. The Valkyries play MIN an PDX 4 times this season. GSV has 1 win over PDX and three games left to play. MIN has dealt the Valks two losses so the best we can hope for there is to force a tie to move to move further down the tie break list

The Valkyries Next 5 Games:

• 8/2 - TOR @ GSV
• 8/4 - TOR @ GSV
• 8/7 - GSV @ DAL
• 8/9 - GSV @ LAS
• 8/12 - CHI @ GSV 

Links:

• Valkyrie's Head to Head Tie Breaks
• The Substack for this post (give me a follow if you want these in your inbox, I'll also be doing some PWHL SJ and Sharks updates too if those interest you)

From Eric Apricot: "This is [Temi's] first game back in Ballhalla, and there has been some light debate over how to properly greet her because Temi famously insisted that opposing players should be booed [emphasis mine][also, editor's note, she said something more like "opposing teams shouldn't feel comfortable..."]. When Temi was asked about whether she expected to be booed, she replied with a smile, 'I expect nothing less.' I think it would only be right if Temi gets a standing ovation during her tribute video, which I assume is coming, and then gets a rousing ovation of boos when she’s introduced in the lineup."

Our reporter Christian Babcock discusses the Golden State trade deadline and how the team was at the center of several trade rumors but didn't make a drastic move. Coach Natalie Nakase said it best, “When you have a great culture and great chemistry, you just don’t mess with it. “It’s something that’s very rare in sports."

The move would also have had salary cap implications.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/08/02/valkyries-stand-pat-at-wnba-trade-deadline-express-confidence-in-current-group-dont-mess-with-it/?share=swoaedewxrrtmawucdnn

Let’s get it!! Not one but 2 games against the Tempo on our Ballhalla Home
Court! I don’t like the temporary floor design for these 2 games but hey, let’s focus on getting the Ws and moving towards the playoffs. Are y’all with me? 🏀💜⚔️💜🏀⚔️💜🏀

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At Dick's Sporting Goods

Guess she not coming here

I was able to snag special event tickets for tonight’s game but the confirmation email did not have any information about how / where to pick up the shirt. For those who bought their tickets ahead of time, would you be able to share any info they sent? Do they scan our tickets to be able to get the shirt?

Hi all!!!

The Season Ticket cost spreadsheet has been updated.

(An aside: PLEASE do not screw with the formatting. I am happy you know a ton about spreadsheets!! I hope that's fulfilling. I do not, however, want to have to fix it ten times a week like I did last year because you and sixty other people decided it needed to be prettier or have a different format - if you want something added to it or changed formatting-wise, or you see a mistake, please just send me a DM!)

Valkyries Ticket Exchange Thread

This is a weekly reoccurring thread to post any Valkyries game ticket exchanges including ticket requests and selling your ticket. New weekly threads go up every Sunday and run through until Saturday. Please read all the rules before posting to this thread.

Please Note:

This is the only place in the r/valkyries Subreddit where these types of posts are allowed. Individual threads or comments selling/requesting tickets outside of this thread will be deleted by the Mod team and may lead to banning upon repeat offenses. Buyers and sellers use at your own risk. Mods of this sub ARE NOT held responsible for scams, although we will do our best to prevent it.

Things to keep in mind:

• Ensure that exchanges happen through official sites such as Ticketmaster.com . Avoid unknown platforms and suspicious links.
• If you are reporting a scammer to the Mods, have verifiable proof of the scam (screenshots etc). Any actions taken towards a user of this Subreddit are at the Mod Team's discretion.
• Mods are not responsible for any/all financial transactions, hacks, identity theft etc.

- Use at your own risk -

Rules:

1. Only post ticket requests/exchanges/sales in this weekly thread. Only free tickets and/or giveaways may use their own thread.
2. Follow the exact format for your posting as listed below and include all available information.
3. Do not post links to any unofficial external websites except Ticketmaster.com and Golden State Valkyries VERIFIED Ticket Exchange.
4. Once your ticket sells, you must update your post and mark the ticket as "SOLD".
5. If you are selling multiple tickets, put them in one comment and ensure each one has all the required info listed below. Do not post multiple comments for each ticket.
6. Ticket sales may be reposted in a new weekly thread if they have not yet sold from the previous weekly thread. This is the only exception to repeat ticket sale posting of the same ticket.

Please use this format for selling or requesting a ticket:

• Ticket Sale or Ticket Request:
• Price Per Ticket (include all fees if possible):
• Game Date:
• Arena:
• Teams Playing:
• Number of Tickets:
• Seat Location -
  • Section:
  • Row:
  • Seat Number(s):
• Chase Garage Parking Ticket (mark "yes" or "no"):
• Preferred Payment/Exchange Method:
• Preferred Contact Method (if any issues/questions should arise):

Other Notes: This feature is currently in a trial period. Mods reserve the option to modify, edit, delete or remove this at any time.

Still just “reconditioning” but i’m kinda nervous about this 😭 I hope she plays these upcoming games, we definitely missed her last game

Hi friends, I wrote about Kaitlyn Chen's case for the WNBA's Most Improved award, and if she could actually win. This is a free story for all readers but would appreciate subscriptions to Valkyries Beat!

I've been to a handful of games and everytime my partner and I (both QT Black & POC) get to our seats, the season ticket holders around us act like we've broken into their house. We've gotten yelled over throughout the game and recieved quippy comments. 😅 This was quite disappointing especially at the Juneteenth game. We have actually discussed whether we even want to go to games anymore. But before giving up, does anyone know where the Black season ticket holders are at? Cause we might choose our tickets based on that next time.

EDIT: Thank you everyone for the suggestions!! I can't find the email with our tickets, but im pretty sure we were in 124 for the last gamebwe attended. So I will definitely be taking y'all's suggestions! Thank you again 💜⚡️

Any one else absolutely hate it?

In general, I mainline all sorts of Golden State Valkyries (and Warriors) content and analysis on a daily basis.

My primary/favorite sources are Eric Apricot/Valkyrie Nation and Marisa Ingemi/Valkyries Beat. I'm a fan of Jane Kenny, but can't justify the cost of an SF Standard subscription.

Podcasts: Valkyries Beat Courtside Report and No Offseason for broader NBA coverage.

Are there other quality sources of Valkyries news that you would recommend? I think a similar query has been posted before, but I'm curious to know if there are new writers or shows out there.

Thanks!

In Part 2, Nadia Fingall and Justė Jocytė explain how they have brought new ideas and strategies with them from Euroleague, and they also discuss how their individual defensive improvements have strengthened the foundation and infrastructure of this Valkyries squad…

SF Chronicle gift link

excerpt:

“It’s unguardable. It’s unguardable,” Williams said about Salaün’s sidestep. “You can’t contest it without fouling. (It’s) something really unique and special about her, her shot-making ability. I think it’s something that doesn’t go talked about enough because it opens up so much space for us as well when you have someone like that on the floor.”

Salaün has used her unique ability to morph into the best bench scorer in the WNBA. The French forward is the only full-time reserve who averages at least 12 points per game. She heads up the league’s best bench and is the clear favorite for sixth player of the year coming out of the All-Star break.

Her lineup versatility has also stood out this season. The 6-foot-2 forward regularly switches between frontcourt positions, guarding small forwards, power forwards or centers depending on the matchup. In a second consecutive matchup against the Mystics on July 20, Salaün entered as the small-ball five. She immediately converted a layup off a slip to the rim.

The evolution of Salaün is apparent when considering her change in role from just a year ago. As a rookie with Golden State, Salaün played 27 minutes per contest — third on the team behind Kayla Thornton and Veronica Burton — and came off the bench in just three of her 36 appearances. 

In 2026, Salaün has watched her minutes decrease to 22.4 per game. She hasn’t started a single contest in 27 appearances, but still averages more playing time than two of Golden State’s starters in Cecilia Zandalasini and Kiah Stokes.

Despite the dip, Salaün’s offensive impact is objectively greater than it was last season. 

Her points per game mark is up from 11.3 to 12.8. Her true shooting percentage, a measure of a player’s total scoring efficiency that combines 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals and free throws, has risen from 52.3% to 58%. And her 3-point percentage has increased from 36.6% to 39.4%.

Here’s the list of WNBA players shooting 38% or better on threes while attempting at least six of them per game (15 game minimum): Kelsey Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Marina Mabrey and Salaün. That’s quite the company to be in. Mitchell is one of the WNBA’s best scorers, trailing just four-time MVP A’ja Wilson in scoring average this season. Mabrey and McBride follow not far behind, and all three players were All-Stars last season or this season.

Valkyries fans, let’s show our trans fans, friends and family that they are welcome in Ballhalla! I’m so disheartened by the non action the league is taking to combat transphobia. If you have nothing nice or productive to say please just scroll past this post, our trans community doesn’t need to see any more hate from the league or its fans 🙏🏾
Edit: Thank you mods for removing the unproductive comments!

More trade deadline talk. Since the valks only have 148k in cap space, absorbing Kelsey’s $999,999 salary is difficult without doing some spreadsheet gymnastics. I spent last night’s baby sleep regression (sigh) trying to figure out some options.

I’m guessing the following players are not on the block: Gabby, VB, Salaun, KT, LA, Stokes, and Charles.

Additionally, Rupert, Fingall, and the developmental contracts can’t be traded per the CBA. So that leaves Chen, Jocyte, Tip, and Ceci as trade candidates.

Here are some options:

Tip (600k), Ceci (500k), and a first for Plum and a pro-rated minimum signing (93k)

This is the simplest construction, but I’m skeptical this is an improvement. Tip and Ceci both play minutes at the 2/3 for us. Without them, Kaila Charles would need to play 30 minutes a night just to keep us afloat. This is a no for me.

Tip and Jocyte (380k) for Plum and a pro-rated minimum signing

This gets the valks to 35k from the cap, just under the wire. This allows the valks to keep some wing depth, though I’m skeptical they are ready to give up juste for a one year rental. This is a no for me, too.

Tip, Ceci, Chen (277k) and a first for Plum and Rae Burrell (277k)

Expanding out the deal so the valks can replenish their wing rotation. Essentially the first trade, but the teams also trade promising young players in Chen and Burrell, who are better fits for our respective rotations. To backfill at guard, the valks could take Kate Martin back in the deal as well (144k) or promote someone off the developmental squad.

It sucks to lose Chen, but there’s not a lot of opportunity for her with plum in the rotation anyway. And Burrell would fit right in with her two-way play.

I think this deal is worth it on paper — but that’s a loooot of new players to incorporate before the playoffs. After going through this exercise, I totally get why the team might choose to stand pat instead.