Valkyries Battling for Playoff Spot in Crucial Weekend Matchups

As of August 30th, 2025, the Golden State Valkyries (19-18) find themselves in a crucial battle for the 8th and final playoff spot in the WNBA. This weekend, they will face two of their direct competitors for a postseason berth: the Washington Mystics (16-23) on Saturday and the Indiana Fever (21-18) on Sunday.

The Valkyries have been one of the surprise success stories of the 2025 WNBA season, emerging as an expansion team that has defied expectations. Their strong defensive play, anchored by their effective 2-3 zone, has been the key to their success. The team currently ranks 6th in the league in defensive rating and 3rd in opponent points per game.

However, the Valkyries' playoff push has been complicated by recent injuries to key players Tiffany Hayes and Carla Leite. While Hayes' status for the weekend's games remains uncertain, Leite is expected to be ready to play. The team is determined to overcome these challenges and secure a postseason berth, as making the playoffs is their primary goal.

The Valkyries will need to bring their best defensive effort against the Mystics and Fever, two teams fighting for their own playoff lives. A successful weekend could go a long way in solidifying the Valkyries' position in the standings and putting them in a strong position to clinch a playoff spot as the season winds down.