The Golden State Valkyries are making history as the only first-year expansion franchise in the WNBA to host a playoff game on their home floor, facing off against the Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling Game 2 on Wednesday night. While the game will take place at San Jose’s SAP Center instead of their usual Chase Center, the energy in the Bay Area is electric, and Golden State Warriors star Brandon Podziemski is amplifying the hype.
In a heartfelt and fiery Players’ Tribune article released just before the pivotal matchup, Podziemski poured love and admiration for his “Valkyries sisters,” celebrating their record-breaking inaugural season that has captured the hearts of the Bay Area. He painted a vivid picture of the vibrant, inclusive atmosphere the Valkyries have cultivated, dubbing their home games “Ballhalla” — a one-of-a-kind party that brings the community together.
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“Ballhalla is, it’s a party,” Podziemski wrote. “Actually, it’s like the biggest, loudest house party ever, where you’ve got 18,000 people going crazy, the music is hitting, everyone is looking great, and there’s not even any neighbors saying keep it down because they’re at the party too (with their kids lol). It’s this mix of cultures, backgrounds, ages, religions, races, everything. I feel like people just kind of come to Ballhalla and be themselves, and that’s that. Everyone is included. And that’s a really good energy for a basketball game.”
Podziemski didn’t hold back in praising the Valkyries’ roster, emphasizing their depth and unselfish play. He highlighted how the team, under the leadership of general manager Ohemaa Nyanin, turned the challenge of being an expansion team into a strength. Built from players left unprotected in the expansion draft, the Valkyries are a squad with something to prove — and they’ve done just that.
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“I saw a quote from Temi (Fagbenle) the other day where she said (the Valkyries were a team of sixth women), and I loved it,” Podziemski wrote. “It’s just reality — with expansion, you’re creating a team from the players who went unprotected. But I feel like Ohemaa actually saw that as a positive, or as a challenge, and she built a roster who all had chips on their shoulders.”
He went on to commend the team’s focus on the “little things” that win games — defense, hustle, and toughness — guided by a Coach of the Year who has instilled a winning mentality. “You’ve got these players who have something to prove to the teams that let ’em go … and also who do the little things well, the stuff that’s underappreciated but actually helps you win basketball games,” he added. “Then you add a COACH OF THE YEAR on that same wave, who’s stressing defense and toughness — and you put it all together as this land of opportunity???”
Podziemski also took a moment to shout out the individual brilliance of the Valkyries’ players, who have turned heads across the league this season. “Now it’s Kayla Thornton, All-Star. Veronica Burton, Most Improved. Janelle Salaün, All-Rookie,” he wrote, noting how these accolades reflect the team’s broader mission. “I feel like those individual accomplishments just kind of speak to what we’re building here with this group … where it’s like: Come to the Bay if you’re trying to shut up your haters and win. (No tampering.)”
With a playful nod to recruiting, Podziemski made a pitch for future talents to join the Valkyries’ movement, where hard work and heart translate into success on and off the court.
As the Valkyries prepare to face the Minnesota Lynx in Game 2 at 7 p.m. local time at the SAP Center, the Bay Area is buzzing with anticipation. The team’s historic playoff run has united fans from all walks of life, creating a celebration of basketball and community that Podziemski aptly calls “Ballhalla.” With the Valkyries’ grit, depth, and relentless spirit, Wednesday’s showdown promises to be a night to remember.