For a brand-new WNBA team, fighting tooth and nail in your first season, and just as they’re on the verge of making the playoffs, the Golden State Valkyries might face a kick-out moment of their own arena. That’s the wild situation facing the newest franchise.
The super-talented Valkyries ladies share the swanky Chase Center in San Francisco with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Recent developments suggest that some serious scheduling headaches could force them to find another spot for key playoff games.
Golden State Valkyries Face Chase Center Lockout Heading Into WNBA Playoffs
The Valkyries stars are making history in their very first season. But even if they outlast top teams to reach the playoffs, things might get sour for them. The Bay Area women’s team is in its inaugural season, and honestly, they’re doing pretty darn well.
With an 18-18 record, sitting at the No. 7 seed in the WNBA standings, the Valkyries are right on the bubble for a playoff spot. Additionally, they’ve put together over the last 12 months, and for an expansion team, being at .500 and in the hunt is a big win. They’ve got one All-Star in Kayla Thornton, and they’re just one game behind the Indiana Fever, who boast three All-Stars. It’s impressive how quickly they’ve gelled into a contender.
The Valkyries’ inaugural season could run into the playoffs—but Chase Center already has the Laver Cup booked Sept. 18–21.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 23, 2025
That overlap could complicate Golden State’s postseason schedule.
But here’s where it gets tricky. The Chase Center is a hot venue for all sorts of events. From September 18 to 21, it’s booked for the ATP Tour’s Laver Cup, that big tennis showdown. The problem is, those dates overlap with three potential WNBA playoff games.
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If the Valkyries make it in, they could be scrambling for a backup plan. And it doesn’t stop there. If they go deep, say, all the way to the Finals, the Warriors’ preseason games on October 3, 5, and 17 could clash with Games 2, 3, and even 7. It would be like showing up to your own party and finding the door locked.
There’s A Silver Lining For Golden State Valkyries
If the aforementioned situation actually occurs, things could turn grim for the fanbase. But before the panic starts, there’s a silver lining. The Valkyries are four games back from the Phoenix Mercury, who hold the fourth seed and the last spot for first-round homecourt advantage.
An arena conflict at Chase Center could force the Valkyries to move playoff games. 😳 pic.twitter.com/X9ekNW5Cmw
— Golden State Valkyries Fan Report (@valkyriesreport) August 19, 2025
With only eight games left in the regular season, it’s a long shot for Golden State to climb that high. That means their early playoff games would likely be on the road anyway, dodging the September mess.
Plus, the WNBA has said the schedule is “subject to change,” so they could tweak things if needed. Still, no one’s commenting yet, the league and the team are staying mum, which leaves fans wondering.