The first-year Golden State Valkyries could soon punch their ticket to the playoffs after an upset win over defending champions the New York Liberty on Tuesday night, and they’d be the first WNBA expansion team to make the playoffs.

No WNBA expansion team has ever made the playoffs in their first year, in the 29-year history of the women’s basketball league. Your Golden State Valkyries are on the verge of becoming the first, after Tuesday night’s unexpected 66-58 win over the defending champion New York Liberty, a game that was much more of a blowout than that score indicates.

The Chronicle points out that the Valkyries’ “magic number” to make the playoffs is now two.  That is, two more wins gets them in automatically, with four regular season games remaining. But they could clinch as early as tomorrow night at home if they get some help, after last night's win.

This was only the second time in WNBA history that an expansion team has beaten the defending champions.

The top eight teams make the playoffs in this league. Looking at the standings, the Valkyries currently hold the Number Five spot. But if the Los Angeles Sparks lose to the Atlanta Dream tonight (they are seven-point underdogs) and the Valkyries beat the lowly and last-place Dallas Wings on Thursday at Chase (the Valks are nine-point favorites), then they clinch a playoff spot Thursday.

Oh, and about that game. The New York Liberty came out strong and led 18-14 at the end of the first quarter. But the Valkyries went on a 23-7 run in the second second quarter, and led by as many as 24 points in the third. They had three players with double-digit scoring totals, led by center Temi Fágbénlé with 16 points.

For what it's worth, the Liberty actually clinched a playoff spot despite losing, by virtue of Indiana’s loss.

And the Valkyries extended their streak of selling out every home game to now 20 consecutive games (which would be all of their 2025 home games). Though as has been noted many times, the Valkyries would not be able to play one or maybe even two first-round playoff games at Chase Center, because it’s booked for the Laver Cup tennis tournament.

Would they still call their home court “Ballhalla” if they’re playing that game or two in Oakland or San Jose instead of at Chase Center? That’s a problem, but it’s a historically nice problem for the Golden State Valkyries to have.

Related: Golden State Valkyries Have the Highest Average Attendance for Home Games In the Whole WNBA [SFist]

Image: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 02: Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts after she made a basket against the New York Liberty during the second half at Chase Center on September 02, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)