The Golden State Valkyries are the first WNBA expansion team in history to make the playoffs in its first season. However, they will be forced to play their first home game away from home due to a scheduling conflict.
Their game is being moved to a (not-so) nearby arena because of tennis.
Athletes like Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Frances Tiafoe and Reilly Opelka will take precedence over the newest team in the WNBA. The Valkyries did not exist when the tournament was scheduled.
What is the Laver Cup?
Held annually since 2017, the Laver Cup essentially serves as the ‘Ryder Cup’ of tennis. The competition pits six of the top European players against six of the top players from every other continent.
Team Europe vs. Team World.
Five hardcourt sessions are played over three days. The first two days consist of three singles matches and one doubles match. The third day begins with one doubles match. Three additional singles matches are played if required.
Each match is worth a specific amount of points. Whichever team, World or Europe, reaches 13 points wins the tournament.
If the score is tied 12-12 after 12 matches, a winner-take-all doubles match will determine the winner.
This year’s Laver Cup will take place at the Chase Center in San Francisco, which was booked prior to Golden State’s acquisition of the Valkyries. It will be played from Friday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 21.
Where are the Golden State Valkyries going to play?
The Valkyries played ever home game at the Chase Center during their inaugural season. Thursday was not the exception.
Golden State secured a playoff bid with a win at the Chase Center. It is the first expansion team in WNBA history to make the playoffs in its first season. Pretty cool.
However, the Valkyries will have to play their first-ever “home” playoff game away from their true home.
Game 2 of Golden State’s three-game series will either be played on Tuesday, Sept. 16 or Wednesday, Sept. 17. That is just two or three days before the Laver Cup.
Preparations for the tennis tournament will be underway at the Chase Center. As a result, Golden State will play its home playoff game at the SAP Center in San Jose.
The SAP Center is located 47 miles from the Chase Center. It is a 50-minute drive without traffic.
It is what it is.
“We can’t control it,” Veronica Burton said of the scheduling conflict. “We have faith in our fans that they are going to continue to show out for us. Wherever we play, we’re going to bring our basketball. We’re confident, we’re excited for the opportunity to compete. Regardless of where we’re at, we’re going to show up.”
It would be extremely awkward if people do not travel to the SAP Center but I fully expect the Golden State Valkyries to play in front of a sold-out crowd in San Jose. Either way, the newest team in the WNBA will be kicked out of its home arena because of the Laver Cup tennis tournament.