Zendaya makes Valkyries dreams come true with WNBA Finals appearance

It’s been a Northern California sports heavy week for Oakland-born actress Zendaya. Three days after watching her nephew compete in a high school football game in Folsom, the Emmy-winner made her way to Ballhala to catch Game 5 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream.

An SFGATE reporter in the building saw Zendaya cheering along boisterously for the Valkyries. She even used giveaway inflatable thundersticks that were handed out to fans on her side of Chase Center during the second half. The Valkyries appeared to deliver a gift to her at one point in the third quarter. Cheers were raucous when Zendaya was shown on the Chase Center jumbotron.

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Supporting Bay Area basketball is nothing new for Zendaya, who regularly makes appearances at Warriors games. And unlike many a tech bro during Warriors playoff games, the “Euphoria” actress was happy to wear the Valkyries giveaway t-shirt over her designer outfit. 

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Other celebs in attendance for Game 5 included Bay Area rap legend E-40 (for real this time), World Cup-winner Megan Rapinoe and 12-time NBA all-star Chris Paul.

Zendaya’s appearance was a dream come true for Valkyries guard Veronica Burton, who said just last week that she wanted Zendaya and husband Tom Holland to make it out for a game. Burton admitted she’d be nervous if she knew Zendaya was in attendance. But apparently that wasn’t an issue on Monday. At the time of publication, Burton was leading Golden State with 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. 

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The Valkyries are leading the Dream 56-44 midway through the fourth quarter.