The Golden State Valkyries exceeded expectations in their inaugural WNBA season, finishing fourth in the Western Conference and securing a WNBA playoff berth in year one before falling to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in the opening round.
Under head coach Natalie Nakase, Golden State quickly established itself as one of the league’s best defensive teams, finishing fourth in defensive rating while building a foundation that looks sustainable well beyond its debut season. Now, the Valkyries enter 2026 with even higher expectations after adding All-Defensive standout Gabby Williams to a roster that already proved it could compete immediately.
Here’s your complete guide to the Golden State Valkyries season, including the full schedule, TV information, roster updates, key players and where to watch games all season long.
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Golden State Valkyries Quick Facts:
Founding Season: 2025
Conference: Western
Head Coach: Natalie Nakase
Home Arena: Chase Center
Championships: None
2025 Finish: Lost in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs
Where Can I Watch Golden State Valkyries Games?
For fans who can’t make it out to Chase Center to watch the Valkyries in person, there are several ways to follow the Golden State Valkyries TV schedule throughout the season, including nationally televised games and local broadcasts.
Below are the channels and streaming platforms where you can watch Golden State Valkyries games live:
- Local Broadcast – KPIX+ 44/KMAX 31 and KPIX 5/KOVR 13
- ESPN – Ch. 206
- ESPN2 – Ch. 209
- ABC – Find your local ABC network
- CBS – Find your local CBS network
- NBC – Find your local NBC network
- USA Network – Ch. 242
- ION – Ch. 305
- Peacock
- Prime Video
- WNBA League Pass
- ESPN Unlimited
Golden State Valkyries 2026 TV Schedule
The Golden State Valkyries season starts opening night of the 2026 WNBA regular season, Friday, May 8, as they travel to take on the Seattle Storm at 10 p.m. ET on ION. The Valkyries’ first game against their rival, the Los Angeles Sparks, is Monday, June 15, at 10 p.m. ET at home on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
Don’t miss a second of the 2026 WNBA season. With DIRECTV, you don’t have to! Explore the Valkyries schedule for the season below, including information on where to watch them play live on TV and more.
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Information |
| Fri, 5/8 | @ Seattle Storm | 10:00 p.m. | ION |
| Sun, 5/10 | vs Phoenix Mercury | 8:30 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Wed, 5/13 | vs Chicago Sky | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Thu, 5/21 | @ New York Liberty | 8:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Fri, 5/22 | @ Indiana Fever | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Mon, 5/25 | vs Connecticut Sun | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Thu, 5/28 | vs Indiana Fever | 10:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Sun, 5/31 | vs Las Vegas Aces | 3:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
| Tue, 6/2 | vs Portland Fire | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Thu, 6/4 | @ Minnesota Lynx | 9:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Sat, 6/6 | @ Las Vegas Aces | 3:00 p.m. | ABC |
| Tue, 6/9 | vs Phoenix Mercury | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Fri, 6/12 | @ Seattle Storm | 10:00 p.m. | ION |
| Mon, 6/15 | vs Los Angeles Sparks | 10:00 p.m. | NBCSN, Peacock, Local Broadcast |
| Wed, 6/17 | vs Dallas Wings | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Fri, 6/19 | vs Minnesota Lynx | 10:00 p.m. | ION |
| Sun, 6/21 | @ Las Vegas Aces | 4:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ |
| Wed, 6/24 | vs Atlanta Dream | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Fri, 6/26 | vs Atlanta Dream | 10:00 p.m. | ION |
| Sun, 6/28 | vs New York Liberty | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Sat, 7/4 | @ Atlanta Dream | 1:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ |
| Mon, 7/6 | @ Washington Mystics | 7:30 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Wed, 7/8 | @ Toronto Tempo | 7:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Fri, 7/10 | @ Connecticut Sun | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Wed, 7/15 | @ Indiana Fever | 8:00 p.m. | USA Network, Local Broadcast |
| Sat, 7/18 | vs Washington Mystics | 8:30 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Mon, 7/20 | vs Washington Mystics | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Wed, 7/29 | @ Phoenix Mercury | 10:00 p.m. | USA Network, Local Broadcast |
| Sun, 8/2 | vs Toronto Tempo | 8:30 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Tue, 8/4 | vs Toronto Tempo | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Fri, 8/7 | @ Dallas Wings | 9:30 p.m. | ION |
| Sun, 8/9 | @ Los Angeles Sparks | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| Wed, 8/12 | vs Chicago Sky | 10:00 p.m. | USA Network, Local Broadcast |
| Mon, 8/17 | vs Dallas Wings | 10:00 p.m. | NBCSN, Peacock, Local Broadcast |
| Wed, 8/19 | vs Minnesota Lynx | 10:00 p.m. | USA Network, Local Broadcast |
| Fri, 8/21 | @ Chicago Sky | 7:30 p.m. | ION |
| Mon, 8/24 | @ Minnesota Lynx | 8:00 p.m. | USA Network, Local Broadcast |
| Wed, 8/26 | @ Connecticut Sun | 7:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Thu, 8/27 | @ New York Liberty | 8:00 p.m. | Prime Video, Local Broadcast |
| Sun, 8/30 | @ Portland Fire | 7:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Fri, 9/18 | vs Portland Fire | 10:00 p.m. | ION |
| Sat, 9/19 | vs Seattle Storm | 9:00 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Tue, 9/22 | @ Portland Fire | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
| Thu, 9/24 | @ Los Angeles Sparks | 10:00 p.m. | Local Broadcast |
No Valkyries games today? Find another matchup to watch on the full WNBA schedule here.
How Did the Golden State Valkyries Perform in 2025?
The Golden State Valkyries exceeded expectations in their inaugural WNBA season, finishing 23-21 and earning a playoff berth as the No. 8 overall seed. Under head coach Natalie Nakase, Golden State quickly established itself as one of the league’s toughest defensive teams and one of the best expansion success stories in recent WNBA history.
Kayla Thornton led the Valkyries with 14.7 points and seven rebounds per game while earning the first All-Star selection of her career. Veronica Burton also broke out with 11.9 points and six assists per game, winning the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award and earning Second Team All-Defense honors.
Rookie Janelle Salaün impressed with her versatility and perimeter shooting, while Tiffany Hayes provided veteran scoring and leadership despite appearing in only 26 games.
Most importantly for Golden State, nearly the entire core returns for 2026. With added playoff experience and improved depth, the Valkyries appear positioned to remain a serious postseason threat in the Western Conference.
Key Golden State Valkyries Players to Watch in 2026
The Golden State Valkyries return much of the roster that helped the expansion franchise reach the playoffs in its inaugural season. Head coach Natalie Nakase once again has one of the WNBA’s strongest defensive groups led by Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes, while offseason addition Gabby Williams gives Golden State another elite perimeter defender.
Gabby Williams
Williams arrives in Golden State after the best season of her WNBA career. She earned her first All-Star selection, made First Team All-Defense and finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting after averaging 2.3 steals per game in 2025.
She also contributed offensively with 11.6 points, 4.2 assists and four rebounds per game while playing a career-high workload. Williams gives Golden State another versatile playmaker and immediately strengthens an already elite defense.
Veronica Burton
Burton emerged as one of the breakout players in the WNBA last season after averaging 11.9 points, six assists and 4.4 rebounds per game. She earned Second Team All-Defense honors and won the league’s Most Improved Player award while thriving in her first full-time starting role.
Now entering her second season with the Valkyries, Burton looks poised to remain one of the leaders of Golden State’s backcourt.
Kayla Thornton
Thornton made the first All-Star team of her career after averaging career highs in both scoring and rebounding during Golden State’s inaugural season. Despite appearing in only 22 games, she averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while bringing veteran leadership and championship experience to the roster.
Janelle Salaün
Salaün quickly became a key piece of the Valkyries rotation during her rookie season. The French forward averaged 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 36% from three-point range and creating matchup problems with her versatility on the perimeter.
Tiffany Hayes
Hayes continues to provide scoring, shooting and veteran leadership for Golden State after averaging 11.7 points per game on 40% shooting from three last season. One of the most experienced players on the roster, Hayes remains an important contributor on both ends of the floor.
With most of its core returning and Williams joining the lineup, Golden State enters 2026 looking capable of building on one of the most successful expansion seasons in WNBA history.
Top Golden State Valkyries Rivalries to Watch in 2026
The Golden State Valkyries quickly established themselves as a playoff team during their inaugural season, and their newest rivalry may already be forming nearby in California.
Los Angeles Sparks
The Valkyries and Sparks now give the WNBA a Northern California vs. Southern California rivalry in the Western Conference. With both teams entering 2026 expecting to compete for playoff spots, these matchups should quickly become some of the league’s most entertaining games.
Stream Golden State Valkyries Games Live on DIRECTV
WNBA games air across ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Unlimited, ION and USA Network throughout the season. With DIRECTV, fans can watch Golden State Valkyries games live all year long, from the opening tip of the regular season through the WNBA Playoffs and Finals.
Whether you’re following Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton and one of the WNBA’s newest playoff contenders or tuning in for key Western Conference rivalries, DIRECTV gives basketball fans access to national broadcasts, streaming options and local coverage all season long.
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Frequently asked questions
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