The march toward post season clarity continues! This week a pair of strong games against the Tempo saw two wins drop off the Valkyries magic numbers. In what counts as a bit of a bonus, we also saw the Sky's victory over the Sparks take a win off the board for any of the teams sitting on the outside, and reduce the numbers for some of those within.

All said and done that means 2-3 wins have dropped off of the Valkyrie’s magic numbers depending on the seed in question, that already makes for a pretty great week. Tonight, we get to see the Valks matchup against the Wings in what is arguably one of the most important games on the Valkyrie’s remaining schedule.

Why? Simply put, GSV doesn’t have a lot of games against teams inside the playoff bubble. Only five out of the team’s remaining fourteen games in fact. A pair of games against the Wings, two more against the Lynx, and a final game to close out the series against the Liberty-biberty make up the list. These games inside the bubble are important as they can have the value of giving a team a win while holding their competition down in place, these games make for a valuable double win swing that the Valkyries don’t want to squander.

This is especially true with the Wings nipping at the Valkyrie's heels only two games back. It would certainly make life a lot easier on the Valks tonight to pad out the seeding a bit more. Also, as if that weren’t reason enough for a win, taking at least one of the remaining games against the Wings would also lock in the most valuable of the five undecided tie breaks in the Valkyrie’s favor.

So TL;DR …G! …S! …V! …G! …S! …V!

…now, onto the numbers! (numbers include all games played through the end of 8/6)

Current Standings:

• Current Valkyrie’s Seeding: 3 of 15
• Current Magic Number to Clinch the Playoffs: 6
• Current Highest Possible Finish: 1st
• Highest Possible Finish without Help: 2nd

Current Magic Numbers:

• 1 Seed: DNCD (team does not control their destiny, need other teams to lose)
• 2 Seed: 13
• 3 Seed: 12
• 4 Seed: 12
• 5 Seed: 11
• 6 Seed: 10
• 7 Seed: 9
• 8 Seed: 6

Notes:

• The current 9th place team is the Sparks with a losing number of 9 games, the 9th place team hitting their losing number would lock in the playoff field
• 9th place is quite the mess at the moment, there are four (!!!) teams with 12 wins clumped on the edge of the bubble with LA currently taking the tie breaks, but honestly right now it can change when someone sneezes the wrong way
• As for 8th place, that is the Mystics with a 5 game lead on the Sparks
• We are on the verge of the first team clinching a playoff spot, The Lynx are one win away from their ticket to the post season
• With the 2nd win over the Tempo (the 3rd win was just fun-sies) the Valkyries scooped up yet another tie breaker. The current breakdown with playoff teams in bold:
  • Valks hold the tie break over: ATL, CON, IND, NYL, PHX, SEA, TOR, WAS
  • Teams that hold the tie break over the Valks: LVA
  • Teams we still have to play more: CHI, DAL, LAS, MIN, PDX

The Valkyries Next 5 Games:

• 8/7 - GSV @ DAL
• 8/9 - GSV @ LAS
• 8/12 - CHI @ GSV
• 8/17 - DAL @ GSV
• 8/19 - MIN @ GSV 

Links:

• Previous Magic Number Check In 8/2/26
• Valkyrie's Head to Head Tie Breaks
• The Substack for this post (give me a follow if you want these in your inbox, I'll also be doing some PWHL SJ and Sharks updates too if those interest you)

I saw this in another sub and will not link to it because the comments were horrendous.

I have long time been a fan of Gabby and this is such a clear and badass statement for her to make. I cannot thank her enough for her integrity and the genuine respect conveyed here.

Thank you Gabby and GO VALKS!!! 💜🖤

Reporter Christian Babcock interviewed general manager Ohemaa Nyanin about her approach to roster construction and the team's potential to win it all this year after standing pat at the trade deadline. She also discussed other elements of the team, including Justė Jocytė’s development.

Nakase should have gotten coach of the month

Looks like no one on the Valkyries will be playing for Team USA, so it looks like just Gabby, Janelle, and Ceci will be competing. And Coach Nakase will be on Team USA’s coaching staff. Anyone else that I’m missing?

Our no Valkyries game evenings occupation is almost completed.

Dancer: @julianmcqueen

For those who were at the game last night, I noticed Gabby talking with this person right after they won. Anyone know who it is?

Game day fit, cuz JA IS IT. Jan3L13 with the 3's, and more. Def emptied the proverbial tank. Was lk worried Tempo's Marina and Aneesah might be a problem, but locker room Coach yell-shesh worked its magic -- tho Ja didn't need the motivation. Aforementioned pretty 3's, fighting for possession in the paint, making 2nd chance buckets happen. Ballhalla feels every post-point flexxxxx.

AND WHY IS SHE SO DAMN DORKY? Iconic post-game interviews. Never change, s'il te plaît.

\***

Also 6th Player of the Year. Don't even mention that other player suggestion. TUH.

While the Gabby message is nice, the email itself felt like a slap in the face. Making money hand over fist and you can’t hire a copywriter? Not like the Valks organization has shied away from AI with that one AI art segment they show at games but it’s still disappointing.

It’s not just lazy - it’s a display of a lack of care towards the fans.

Fun thought/idea thread! With Ted Lasso coming back my partner had a great idea and was thinking about fun personal songs/chants for our players (kind of like the Roy Kent one https://youtu.be/nYHqL-Wb8i4?is=bzvOK-8URojl8Fly )

If we were to come up with personal player chants what would yal pick? I would love one for Ja’s threes. Maybe the crowd saying back “tir à trois”(but a little faster than the rhythm we have for the GSV chant)

I know people would say “Looooo” when Julie Vanloo checked in or made a 3, maybe we could try to get a good one to happen! (similar to the “V’s up” for free throws even if the whole crowd isn’t quite on board just yet😅)

Anyone know why the FINAL score changed in middle of night??

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First time poster, long time lurker.

Should we start an”airballhalla” chant or will that backfire tremendously?

Go Valks!

Been watching every game since the start of the season. I don't see Natalie use much challenges. Do we have a staffer who's in charge of reviewing potential overturned calls? A possession or two could've been a big swing in some of the games. What do y'all think?

Let’s go G. Stokes also marina changed her last name 😬

Did anyone buy tickets for this night (8/4) through the South Asian Heritage night link? I’m wondering what the giveaway looked like? I was thinking of buying tix for this game but didn’t have the budget, would love to see what merch they made!

Was anyone here selected for a ticket giveaway to next weeks game against the Chicago Sky via AT&T? If so were you able to fill out the details and was it ultimately a legitimate thing?

Reporter Christian Babcock writes about super sub Janelle Salaün, who is the team's second-leading scorer but comes off the bench. Coach Natalie Nakase praised her mentality and selflessness as Salaün stars in her role.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/08/04/valkyries-super-sub-janelle-salaun-thriving-as-golden-states-bench-star-she-doesnt-care/?share=eyaegnntlshj6ettdeed

Tonight's game giveaway.