First Playoff Win and the Valkyries Are Already Thinking About the Next One

The Golden State Valkyries win the first playoff game in franchise history and they do it like themselves. One hundred and eight points. Six players with multiple threes, a first in WNBA playoff history. Cecilia Zandalasini drops 22 in 16 minutes. Tiffany Hayes comes off the bench and is simply unguardable. And Gabby Williams guards Paige Bueckers 94 feet from the opening possession and sets the tone for everything that follows. The second quarter said it all. The Valkyries outscored Dallas 37 to 11 by getting stops, pushing the pace, and running the Wings until they were tired. Six players hit multiple threes because the ball moved, everybody was confident, and defense created easy looks in transition. Gabby said it simply: it goes back to defense. It always goes back to defense.

Ceci came out aggressive, took what the defense gave her, and made the most of every minute. TIP's gave the team a burst every time she stepped on the floor. Gabby called her one of the all time greats in this league and meant every word. The depth of this roster is the identity of this roster and in Game 1 it showed up completely. When asked what it means to play in the Bay, Gabby smiled. The shoutout to Too Short was for middle school Gabby. Growing up in the Bay, that culture, that music, knowing it was all inside Chase Center on a night like this. Her whole family group chat lost it. In French, Ceci said what this team has believed since day one. Nobody cares what the media says. They do not have a conventional superstar. They have twelve players who can all play and a will to win that does not waver. Mission title.

It is just the first game. The Valkyries are already thinking about the next one.

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Golden State Valkyries | WNBA | Playoff Presser | Gabby Williams, Cecilia Zandalasini, Tiffany Hayes | Dallas Wings | First Playoff Win | 2025

00:00 — Every Single Person Contributed: The Depth That Won Game 1
00:10 — Gabby on TIP: One of the All Time Greats in This League
00:21 — Ceci: 22 Points in 16 Minutes — What Was Working
00:54 — The 37 to 11 Second Quarter: Defense Initiating Everything
01:54 — Defending Paige Bueckers 94 Feet: Gabby Breaks It Down
02:34 — Six Players With Multiple Threes: What Does That Say About This Offense?
03:14 — Gabby in French: Defense Was the Foundation All Night
04:05 — Gabby on Playing in the Bay: That Was for Middle School Gabby
04:50 — How Limiting Paige Protected the Rest of the Defense
05:17 — Full Circle: The First Playoff Win in Franchise History
05:51 — Enjoy It or Move On? Already Thinking About the Next One