Thousands of Golden State Valkyries fans packed San Francisco's waterfront Wednesday, Nov. 4, to celebrate the team's first WNBA championship.
The parade ran along the Embarcadero from the Ferry Building to Second and King streets, starting at noon. Fans in the team's signature violet began lining the route at 9 a.m., according to KQED.
Southern Marin residents had a front-row path to the celebration. Golden Gate Transit noted that Larkspur ferry trips were already crowded and could reach capacity during peak times. The agency said Tiburon and Sausalito trips had plenty of room and encouraged riders to arrive early.
The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals at Chase Center on Oct. 31. The team clinched the title in only its second season, which KQED reported set a record as the fastest any professional basketball expansion team has accomplished the feat.
Finals MVP Gabby Williams scored 30 points in Game 7, with 28 of those coming in the second half. KQED reported that Williams broke a WNBA record for the most points in any playoff half. Williams, who played club basketball in San Francisco as a kid, spoke at a kickoff rally in Oakland's Jack London Square before the parade, thanking fans for easing the pressure during the decisive game.
Players rode violet buses along the route, tossing necklaces, T-shirts and towels to the crowd. Player Justė Jocytė popped champagne and sprayed parade-goers. Kaitlyn Chen tossed out cans of beer. Veronica Burton took selfies with fans while wearing a "Women Run This Game" shirt.
Head coach Natalie Nakase, who became the first Asian American head coach to win a WNBA championship, walked the route signing autographs and chatting with supporters. She wore reflective wraparound sunglasses, gold bead necklaces and a shirt featuring a cartoon of herself, KQED reported.
Fan Lie Crescini staked out a spot along the route at 7:30 a.m. Crescini flew in from Hawaii, as she has for every home game and some away games.
"It means everything to me. It shows that these women put in so much effort to do everything here for the Bay and all the hard work that they put in," Crescini told KQED.
Valkyries and Warriors owner Joe Lacob cruised the route in a low rider among classic cars. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee rode alongside artist Kehlani, wearing a bright purple wig. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie walked the route, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi waved from a passing cable car.
