SAN FRANCISCO — The fans in the packed arena were decked out in matching purple T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase \u201cFirst of a Lifetime.\u201d <\/p>\n
After years of hoping the WNBA would come to the Bay Area and more than 18 months after the expansion team was awarded by the league, the Golden State Valkyries made their debut Friday night, hosting the Los Angeles Sparks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely feel very grateful,\u201d guard Kate Martin said before the game. \u201cI think right now you can\u2019t understand how big of a moment this is now that we\u2019re in it. When I look back on this in a few years, I\u2019ll be very grateful and can’t believe I was a part of the inaugural season and got to play in the first game. It\u2019s very cool. We\u2019re just trying to soak it all in and take nothing for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coach Natalie Nakase said she has had this day circled on her calendar since the schedule was released and spent the entire day at the arena after waking up at 6 a.m., attending meetings and a shootaround and taking a walk around the empty arena.<\/p>\n
While she said the approach should be like any game on any court, she acknowledged the historic moment as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s special,\u201d she said. \u201cNot everyone gets to be chosen to be the first. I do feel lucky that they chose me. They could have chosen a million other candidates that were more qualified. So I take this with a lot of responsibility but be present and enjoy it the best I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kayla Thornton scored on the opening possession for the first basket in franchise history and there were quickly chants of \u201cG-S-V! G-S-V!\u201d <\/p>\n
The WNBA’s first expansion team since 2008 has been welcomed with great fanfare in the Bay Area. The team has more than 10,000 season-ticket holders at Chase Center and the arena was packed for a celebratory opener for a night that included a scheduled halftime show from famed Bay Area rapper E-40.<\/p>\n
The team also has some high-profile supporters with San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames wearing a Martin jersey to his game down the street and Warriors coach Steve Kerr saying he planned to be in attendance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t be more excited,\u201d Kerr said. \u201cI think watching everything unfold over the last year, year and a half since the franchise was formed, it\u2019s been incredible to watch. I think the branding has been amazing, the name, the colors, just kind of the unveiling of the team. … I know tonight is going to be packed. This is just an incredible story. We have a lot of people here in this building who deserve a lot of credit for what\u2019s about to unfold, so a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
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