The Golden State Valkyries are inching ever-closer to the seemingly unthinkable: a genuine playoff run during the team's first season of existence. The feat is incredible in and of itself, and Golden State owes a degree of their success to the 18,000+ fans who have packed in the Chase Center, or Ballhalla, for every single home game this season.
Unfortunately for those fans, the Valkyries making the playoffs could mean everyone is forced to relocate to enjoy the first and second round matches, a reality that could shift the vibe significantly.
San Francisco Standard columnist Tim Kawakami attended the team's game Sunday. He described the venue as "thrumming" with support for Golden State, a feeling that is absolutely experienced by everyone who has the opportunity to watch the Valkyries play in their home venue. But unfortunately, he also noted that Ballhalla might be occupied when the play-offs begin.
It turns out the Laver Cup, an international tennis tournament between Team Europe and Team World, is heading to the Bay Area at the same time and has the arena booked September 19-21 — a reality that existed before the Valkyries ever did. On top of that, the event's organizers will need the arena for "several days" ahead of the main event to properly set up.
This puts the Valkyries in a tough spot: the tennis tournament will take place as the first and second rounds of play-offs are underway, and Golden State isn't likely to advance beyond that position — especially if the team finds themselves outside of their home arena, potentially without all 18,064 fans who have shown up night after night.
Instead, those games might be played at the Oakland Arena or even the SAP Center in San Jose, two venues that are relatively nearby but not necessarily... the same. And while it's likely the Valkyries will be fully capable of replicating the energy at Ballhalla to the best of their abilities, there's nothing like being able to play in your true home.
There is a silver lining on the horizon: the entire run of the first and second rounds won't be impacted, and if the Valkyries perform the way the team has for most of the season, there's plenty of reasons to expect fans can see their favorite team at home in the playoffs for what will always be the first time ever: an extraordinary moment from an extraordinary team that has captured the attention of the WNBA unlike any other.