Steph Curry has spent years showing the basketball world what it means to represent Golden State, but this time, his support went beyond the Warriors. Ahead of the WNBA Finals, the NBA superstar made a statement by wearing the jersey of Veronica Burton, one of the Golden State Valkyries’ most important players.
It was a small gesture with a much bigger meaning. As the Valkyries prepared for their first-ever WNBA Finals appearance, Curry and his Warriors teammates made sure their fellow Golden State franchise knew they had support from across the Bay Area basketball family.
And with the Valkyries facing the Atlanta Dream for the championship, Curry’s choice of jersey was a particularly fitting way to show appreciation for a player whose defensive work has helped make this remarkable season possible.
Curry Chooses Veronica Burton’s No. 22 Jersey
Curry wore Burton’s No. 22 Valkyries jersey during warmups before the Warriors’ preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on Friday, October 16. Other Warriors players also wore jerseys representing different Valkyries stars, turning the pregame routine into a show of support for the women’s team ahead of its biggest moment yet.
The timing could hardly have been better. The Valkyries were preparing to host Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday, October 17, with the Atlanta Dream standing between them and a championship.
Curry also took to social media to encourage the team, writing: “Finals time. Go take care of business @valkyries !”
That message was short, but the symbolism was clear. The Warriors and Valkyries share ownership under Joe Lacob, and both teams play at Chase Center, creating a natural connection between the two franchises.
Still, Curry wearing Burton’s jersey made the moment more personal. Rather than simply sporting a generic team shirt, one of basketball’s most recognisable stars chose to represent a specific player who has earned recognition for her work on the court.
For Burton, that kind of public support from a player of Curry’s stature is a special moment, especially during a season in which she has helped establish herself among the league’s defensive standouts.
Why Veronica Burton Deserves the Recognition
It would be easy to focus entirely on Curry because of his superstar status, but Burton’s own story deserves attention.
The Valkyries guard has built her reputation through defensive intensity, playmaking and the ability to disrupt opposing offences. She was named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2025 and earned the same honour again in 2026.
Burton has become an important part of a Golden State team that has made defence a defining feature of its identity. Alongside Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes, she gives the Valkyries a collection of defenders capable of making life difficult for even the most talented opponents.
Her impact goes beyond simply stealing the ball. Reading passing lanes, pressuring opposing guards and helping teammates maintain their defensive assignments are all valuable contributions that do not always receive the same attention as scoring highlights.
That is why Curry’s choice matters. In a sport where star power often dominates the conversation, his gesture shines a spotlight on a player whose importance comes from doing the demanding work that helps a team win.
Burton has also demonstrated that she can contribute offensively. During the 2026 regular season, she averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game, giving Golden State another capable playmaker in its backcourt.
Those numbers help explain why she is more than a defensive specialist. She can create opportunities for teammates, organise possessions and provide another option when the Valkyries need to generate offence.
Golden State’s Historic Journey to the Finals
The Valkyries’ achievement makes Curry’s show of support even more significant.
Golden State entered the WNBA as an expansion franchise in 2025 and reached the playoffs during its inaugural season. Just one year later, the team has advanced to the Finals, becoming the first expansion franchise in WNBA history to reach the championship series in its second season.
That is a remarkable rise for a team that had to build its identity, establish chemistry and compete against established organisations with years of experience.
The Valkyries finished the 2026 regular season with a 32-12 record, earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. They then defeated the Dallas Wings in the first round before sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 3-0 in the semifinals.
Beating the Aces was particularly impressive because it demonstrated that Golden State could handle the pressure of facing an experienced championship team.
The Valkyries won the semifinal series through a combination of defensive discipline, timely scoring and contributions from across the roster. They did not need one player to carry every possession, and that collective approach has become one of their biggest strengths.
With the Finals approaching, the Warriors’ public support helped underline how much the franchise’s success means to the wider Golden State basketball community.
The Warriors and Valkyries Are Building a Shared Basketball Culture
Curry was not the only Warrior to show up for the Valkyries.
De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski and other Golden State players also wore Valkyries jerseys during warmups. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr attended Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, joining the growing list of familiar basketball figures backing the team.
The support was particularly meaningful because both franchises operate within the same basketball environment. The Warriors have spent years building a championship culture in the Bay Area, and the Valkyries now have an opportunity to establish their own legacy.
That does not mean the women’s team should be defined by its relationship with the Warriors. The Valkyries have earned their place in the Finals through their own performances, and their success deserves to be celebrated on its own terms.
However, moments like this can help bring different audiences together. Warriors supporters who might not regularly follow the WNBA could become more interested in the Valkyries after seeing Curry and his teammates embrace the team.
That additional attention can benefit the franchise and women’s basketball more broadly, particularly when it is driven by genuine sporting achievement rather than publicity alone.
The Valkyries have already demonstrated that they can attract passionate support. Their first Finals appearance gives them another opportunity to strengthen that connection with the Bay Area.
The Perfect Start to a Championship Campaign
The Valkyries made the most of their historic occasion, defeating the Atlanta Dream 68-64 in Game 1 at Chase Center on Saturday.
Gabby Williams led Golden State with 26 points, helping the team recover from a difficult start and overcome a seven-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. The Valkyries also tightened their defence late in the game, holding Atlanta to just eight points in the final period.
It was exactly the kind of hard-fought performance that explains why this team has progressed so far. Golden State did not need a perfect shooting night; it needed composure, defensive discipline and players willing to deliver when the pressure increased.
The victory gave the Valkyries a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, putting them four wins away from their first WNBA championship.
Curry’s jersey tribute was therefore more than a pregame photo opportunity. It formed part of a wider show of belief in a team that has already exceeded expectations and is now competing for the biggest prize in its sport.
Final Thoughts
Steph Curry wearing Veronica Burton’s Valkyries jersey was a simple gesture, but it captured the excitement surrounding Golden State’s historic season.
Burton has earned her recognition through her defensive excellence and growing influence on the court, while the Valkyries have established themselves as genuine championship contenders in just their second year.
Their Game 1 victory over Atlanta has given the team an encouraging start, but the job is far from finished. The Dream remain a dangerous opponent, and Golden State will need the same collective effort to secure the title.
Curry has shown that the Warriors are firmly behind their neighbours. Now the Valkyries have the chance to turn that support into something even more memorable.
Was Curry wearing Burton’s jersey a great show of support for the Valkyries, and can Golden State finish its historic run by winning the WNBA championship? Share your thoughts.