Golden State Valkyries face Dallas Wings in WNBA first round opener

WNBA first round clash at Chase Center

The WNBA First Round - Game 1 takes place on Monday, 28 September 2026 with a 01:00 UTC tip-off at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Golden State Valkyries, who finished the regular season in second place, host the fourth-placed Dallas Wings in what promises to be a compelling postseason encounter. Both teams have impressed throughout the campaign and will be eager to make a strong start to the playoffs.

Standings and season summary

The Golden State Valkyries completed the regular season with a record of 32 wins and 12 losses from 44 games. They scored a total of 3,615 points while conceding 3,305, leaving them with a healthy goal difference of +310. The Dallas Wings finished slightly lower in fourth place, having won 27 and lost 17. They amassed 3,933 points for and 3,751 against, ending with a +182 goal difference. Both teams clearly secured solid seasons, positioning themselves well for a deep playoff run.

Recent form and scoring trends

The Valkyries have won four of their last five games, including a narrow 76-75 victory at the Los Angeles Sparks on 25 September. Their only defeat in this run came against Portland Fire on 23 September, a tight 82-90 loss. Golden State averaged 79.2 points across these matches while limiting opponents to 71.4 on average. Meanwhile, the Dallas Wings also recorded four wins in their last five outings. Their most recent result was a 103-91 away win over Seattle Storm on 24 September. The Wings lost only once in this stretch, a one-point 86-87 loss at Phoenix Mercury on 22 September. Dallas averaged an impressive 94 points per game and conceded 81.6.

Head-to-head record favours Golden State

This season, the Valkyries have dominated the head-to-head clashes against the Wings. The teams met three times, with Golden State winning all three games. The first encounter was a 91-80 home win for the Valkyries on 18 June. They followed up with a 94-76 victory on the road at Dallas on 8 August. The latest meeting was on 18 August at the Chase Center, where Golden State again triumphed 78-70. Across these three matches, a total of 489 points were scored, illustrating the competitive but controlled nature of their games.

Where to watch in the United States

Fans in the United States can catch the action live on USA Net and CNBC. Both channels will provide coverage of this eagerly awaited playoff opener, bringing the intensity of the WNBA first round directly to viewers.

Where the teams stand

Recent form

Head-to-head