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OCTOBER 17, 2026 — SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
San Francisco had its own soundtrack for the opening game of the 2026 WNBA Finals. Larry June brought homegrown Bay Area hip-hop to the halftime stage at Chase Center as the Golden State Valkyries hosted the Atlanta Dream. A city known for moving to its own rhythm had a local voice at the center of its biggest basketball moment.
WATCH: LARRY JUNE AT VALKYRIES HALFTIME
Watch the Instagram Reel selected for this KOLAK Desk article.
Instagram Reel: View original video. Playback depends on Instagram availability.
FROM THE CITY TO THE FINALS
For the Valkyries, Game 1 marked a remarkable chapter: the franchise reached the championship series in just its second WNBA season. The matchup against Atlanta was bigger than one afternoon at Chase Center. It put the Bay Area's newest basketball franchise on the national stage while giving local culture room to speak for itself.
Larry June's appearance felt fitting. His music is rooted in San Francisco, and his unmistakable independent approach has made him part of the city's modern musical identity. On a day built around California basketball, the halftime show connected the court to the same neighborhoods and creative energy that have shaped Bay Area sound for generations.
GOLDEN STATE GETS THE WIN
The Valkyries gave their fans an equally memorable result, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68–64 to take a 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven Finals. Gabby Williams scored 26 points as Golden State finished with a decisive late run. The home crowd got a victory and a halftime performance made in the Bay.
THE DETAILS
Event: 2026 WNBA Finals — Game 1
Matchup: Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream
Result: Golden State 68, Atlanta 64
Halftime performer: Larry June
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
Broadcast: NBC / Peacock
THE KOLAK DESK — Basketball, music, and the Bay Area's creative identity rarely stay in separate lanes. On Finals Saturday, they came together at center court.
Sources and footage: Instagram Reel selected for this article; Golden State Valkyries official Game 1 recap; Valkyries Finals announcement; San Francisco Chronicle entertainment lineup.
Independent editorial coverage by The KOLAK Desk. KOLAK is not affiliated with the WNBA, Golden State Valkyries, Chase Center, Larry June, or Instagram. Event flyer and performance footage remain the property of their respective rights holders and are credited above.