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It’s been five months since the epic throwdown between San Francisco’s first-ever WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries, and the league’s ever-dominant Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the playoffs. It ended in a heartbreaking 75-74 loss for the Valkyries, closing out their inaugural season — but not before they sold out all 22 home games at Chase Center (affectionately known as Ballhalla) and made the Valkyries the most highly valued team in the WNBA.
The 2026 season is still months away. Those itching to see some action can watch a handful of their beloved Valkyries in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 league co-founded in 2023 by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
This season of Unrivaled has already provided a killer montage of highlight-reel plays, end-to-end action, and the kind of fast-paced basketball that makes the league a must-watch.
Unrivaled draws many of the WNBA’s top stars during the league’s offseason. This year, several Valkyries were picked up by Unrivaled teams. Monique Billings, Veronica Burton, Temi Fágbénlé, Tiffany Hayes, and Kate Martin are all logging minutes, while Laeticia Amihere is part of the league’s development pool.
The 2026 Unrivaled season kicked off on Jan. 5 and has featured weekly games ever since, plus a three-day one-on-one tournament earlier this month where the best players in Unrivaled competed for a $200,000 grand prize.
The Valkyries have been leaving their marks.
Billings has been a force on the boards for Hive BC, ranking #2 in rebounds across the league and consistently asserting herself near the basket.
Burton, who earned the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award last season on the Valkyries, is ranked #1 in steals in Unrivaled.
Burton made a statement in her first one-on-one tournament by defeating Courtney Williams of Breeze BC 11-0 in just one minute and 23 seconds.
Fágbénlé exudes a calm, commanding presence in every Lunar Owls BC game, chipping in with key shots and rebounds. Hayes has brought her style and established herself as a force on the defensive end with several impressive blocks for Phantom BC, while Martin’s aggressive play, including a standout performance against Rose FC, is impossible to miss. Amihere, currently in the development pool, has shared glimpses of her training on social media, showing she’s ready to make an impact.
Unrivaled’s regular season wraps up on Feb. 27, with playoffs beginning Feb. 28, semifinals in Brooklyn, NY, on March 2, and the championship set for March 4. Between the remaining games and the highlights shared on the league’s and players’ social media, there’s plenty of Valkyries content for fans to follow before the team tips off at Ballhalla this spring.
Unrivaled’s next games are Friday, Feb. 20. For the full 2026 schedule, go here.
Want to take in the Unrivaled action among fellow Valks fans? Head to Rikki’s Bar (2223 Market St.) or Mother (3079 16th St.) any time games are being played.
