Golden State Valkyries Surprising Playoff Run
No one saw the Golden State Valkyries making the playoffs this season.
Predictions from major sources suggested they would end up as the weakest team in the WNBA. For instance, one outlet projected them as the last in the league, while another only had them finishing slightly better.
But reality has taken a different path. As the season nears its conclusion, Golden State is poised to finish with the sixth-best record, clinching a playoff berth just a week away from the end of the regular season. This is a stronger record than that of veteran squads like the Seattle Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks, both led by notable All-Stars.
Interestingly, their only first-round draft pick, Juste Joyce, has spent the season abroad, yet the team’s success has been unexpected. This success is remarkable, particularly since their top scorer, Kayla Thornton, suffered a season-ending injury mid-year.
Despite challenging free agency, where they secured only one notable player, Tiffany Hayes, the Valkyries have thrived. While it’s tough to pinpoint exactly what’s led to their success, a lot of credit goes to their head coach, Natalie Nakaze. She’s clearly made a significant impact in her inaugural coaching season.
Evaluating coaching can be tricky, especially from the outside. I mean, we’re not in those crucial halftime discussions or practice sessions, so it’s hard to see how well strategies are executed—or not. Yet, you can sense the players’ reactions, how they engage when Coach Nakaze addresses them, and the trust they have when it’s their time to shine.
Take Veronica Burton, for example. She plays with a liberating joy that feels refreshing in the WNBA. Meanwhile, rookies like Carla Leit and Janelle Surrown blend in as if they’ve been around longer than just a season.
It seems almost everyone on the Valkyries has surpassed expectations. Burton, for instance, bumped her scoring average from 3.1 to 12 points per game, snagging the title of most improved player. Others, like Cecilia Zandalasini, boosted their performance significantly too.
What’s essential? The team is winning. They’ve achieved more victories than any other expansion team in the history of the WNBA. It’s a fact everyone is aware of.
Conversations around the league indicate that Golden State’s success is remarkable, and much of that ties back to their head coach.
Cheryl Reeve, the head coach of the Minnesota Lynx, is highly regarded in WNBA circles and recently acknowledged the Valkyries’ accomplishments during a pre-game conference.
“When you combine competition level, talent, and buy-in, that’s a potent mix,” Reeve explained.
Interestingly, in a recent interview, Angel Reese highlighted the Valkyries when discussing her own team, noting that while there’s no comparison on paper, Golden State’s grit stands out. “They play hard,” she said.
