The fans in the packed arena were decked out in matching purple T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "First of a Lifetime."
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.
"I definitely feel very grateful," guard Kate Martin said before the game. "I think right now you can't understand how big of a moment this is now that we're in it. When I look back on this in a few years, I'll be very grateful and can't believe I was a part of the inaugural season and got to play in the first game. It's very cool. We're just trying to soak it all in and take nothing for granted."
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.
While she said the approach should be like any game on any court, she acknowledged the historic moment as well.