If you’ve been paying any attention to women's basketball lately, you know the vibe has shifted. It’s no longer just about the old guard. Enter the Golden State Valkyries. They’re the new kids on the block, the WNBA’s 13th franchise, and they’ve spent their inaugural 2025 season trying to prove they aren't just a marketing gimmick for the Bay Area. But when you put them on the floor against the New York Liberty, things get... complicated.
Honestly, it’s a classic "dynasty vs. disruptor" narrative. The Liberty, fresh off their recent dominant runs and led by a core that feels almost like a cheat code, represent the gold standard. The Valkyries? They’re basically trying to build a culture from scratch while playing in the shadow of the Warriors’ massive legacy.
The Reality of the New York Liberty vs Golden State Valkyries Matchup
Most people expected the expansion Valkyries to get absolutely steamrolled in their first year. To be fair, early on, that’s kind of what happened. Back in May 2025, when they first met at Barclays Center, the Liberty put on a clinic, winning 95-67. It wasn't even close. Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones were doing whatever they wanted in the paint, and the Valkyries looked like they were still learning each other's middle names.
But something shifted by the end of the 2025 season.
In their final meeting of the year in September, the Valkyries actually pulled off a 66-58 stunner against New York. It was ugly. It was gritty. It was exactly the kind of win an expansion team needs to show they belong. That game changed the temperature of the New York Liberty vs Golden State Valkyries series heading into 2026.
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Why the Liberty are Still the Bosses
Let's look at the Liberty roster. It’s terrifying.
Sabrina Ionescu is still hitting logo threes like they’re layups.
Breanna Stewart—or "Stewie" if you’re actually a fan—is basically a walking double-double who can defend any position.
Then you’ve got Jonquel Jones anchoring the middle and Natasha Cloud bringing that defensive edge that makes life miserable for opposing guards.
They play a brand of basketball that is incredibly fluid. Coach Sandy Brondello has them moving the ball so fast that defenses usually end up looking like they’re chasing a ghost. If you’re a Valkyries fan, you’re basically praying that Ionescu has an off night from deep, which, let’s be real, doesn't happen often.
The Valkyries’ Scrappy Identity
The Valkyries didn't just pick up leftovers in the expansion draft. They were smart. Taking Kayla Thornton (who literally came from the Liberty) was a massive chess move. She knows New York’s playbook inside and out. Plus, landing Kate Martin from the Aces brought in a winner’s mentality and a massive fanbase that follows her everywhere.
They don't have a "Superteam" yet. They have a collection of players with chips on their shoulders. Monique Billings and Temi Fagbenle provide a physical presence in the post that actually gave the Liberty trouble in their later matchups. They win by making games "muddy"—slowing the pace, crashing the glass, and forcing New York into isolation plays rather than their preferred ball movement.
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What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 season is where this really becomes a rivalry. The "honeymoon phase" for Golden State is over. Now, it's about wins and losses.
When the New York Liberty vs Golden State Valkyries game tips off this year, keep an eye on the backcourt battle. Ionescu vs. whatever defensive scheme the Valkyries throw at her is the game within the game. Last season, the Valkyries tried to trap her off every screen, which worked for about ten minutes until she started finding Leonie Fiebich in the corners for open looks.
Key Tactical Battles
- The Revenge of Kayla Thornton: Watching her play against her former team is always electric. She plays with an intensity that the Liberty sometimes miss in the regular season.
- The Post Battle: Can the Valkyries’ rotation of Fagbenle and Billings actually contain Jonquel Jones? If Jones gets established early, the Liberty usually win by double digits.
- Bench Depth: New York’s bench is deep. Like, "could probably be a playoff team on their own" deep. Players like Marine Johannès can come in and hit four threes in three minutes. Golden State has to find consistent scoring from their second unit to keep up.
The Venue Factor
Barclays Center has become a fortress. The atmosphere in Brooklyn is probably the best in the league right now, with celebrities sitting courtside and a crowd that actually knows the game.
But Chase Center in San Francisco is catching up. The Valkyries have already seen massive ticket demand. When New York travels West, they aren't walking into a quiet expansion arena; they’re walking into a "sea of violet" that’s just as loud as anything in New York.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to follow this specific matchup or bet on it, here’s what you need to track:
- Watch the Injury Reports: Both teams rely heavily on their veterans. If Stewart or Ionescu is out, the Liberty’s offensive efficiency drops by nearly 15%.
- Check the Travel Schedule: Golden State has a brutal travel schedule being on the West Coast. If they are playing New York on the tail end of a road trip, the Liberty's depth will likely overwhelm them.
- Follow the "Thornton Factor": Statistically, Kayla Thornton plays significantly better against her former team. Her "revenge game" stats are a real thing to watch.
- Quarter 3 Performance: The Liberty are notorious for "third-quarter avalanches." If the Valkyries aren't within 5 points heading into the fourth, it’s usually game over.
The New York Liberty vs Golden State Valkyries matchup isn't just another game on the calendar anymore. It's a barometer for the league. If the Valkyries can consistently compete with New York, it means the WNBA's expansion era is officially a success. If New York continues to dominate, it's a reminder that greatness isn't built overnight—it’s earned through seasons of chemistry and high-level execution.
Keep an eye on the ticket prices for the 2026 games at Chase Center. They are already trending higher than most non-playoff matchups, which tells you everything you need to know about how the fans view this budding cross-country feud.