Revenge Game: Valkyries Hunt Lynx for Redemption
The Golden State Valkyries: Great Defense, But Can They Score Enough to Win It All?
The Big Picture: A Team Built on "We," Not "Me"
Imagine a basketball team where nobody is the superstar, but everyone is really good at helping each other. That is the Golden State Valkyries.
In just their second year, they have built something special:
- Best defense in the league (they allow the fewest points per game).
- Two huge winning streaks (9 games and 6 games in a row).
- No single player plays more than 30 minutes a game—it is a total group effort.
Coach Natalie Nakase leads a squad of "good-not-great" players who suffocate opponents on defense and hit just enough shots to win. Key players like Veronica Burton and free-agent signing Gabby Williams are the faces of this "team-first" ethos.
IMPORTANT POINT
The Valkyries prove you don’t need a famous superstar to win most games. Their "plurality over individuality" model took them to a 25-9 record and the top of the standings.
The Reality Check: When "Good" Offense Meets "Great" Defense
Everything was going great until the Minnesota Lynx—a team loaded with superstars—came to town (Chase Center, nicknamed "Valkatraz").
What Happened Against the Lynx?
- Napheesa Collier (a superstar) scored 18 points on incredibly tough, contested shots.
- Olivia Miles (a rookie sensation) dropped 20 points and 8 assists.
- The Valkyries’ usually suffocating defense couldn’t stop them.
- Result: A 77-66 loss.
Guard Tiffany Hayes loved the intensity, calling it a "playoff feeling." The team looked forward to a quick rematch on Monday.
The Stumble: A Trap Game Gone Wrong
Before the big Monday rematch, the Valkyries had to play the Chicago Sky—a struggling team that should have been an easy win.
It was not easy.
- The Valkyries’ offense completely disappeared for a half.
- Chicago’s Sydney Taylor hit a heartbreaking step-back shot in the final minute.
- Result: A shocking 73-70 loss.
Now the Valkyries have lost two in a row, and their momentum is gone.
The Core Problem: "Everybody Eats" vs. "Somebody Creates"
The Valkyries run an "everybody eats" offense. They pass the ball, move constantly, and whoever is "hot" shoots it. Against average teams, this works perfectly. Their defense covers up the bad offensive nights.
But against elite teams? The cracks show.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
| Stat | Rank (out of 15 teams) | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive Rating | 7th | Middle of the pack efficiency. |
| Points Per Game | 3rd Fewest (82.5) | They simply don’t score enough. |
| Pace | Slowest | They walk the ball up, letting defenses get set. |
| Shot Difficulty | Bottom 10 League-Wide | Their players take the hardest shots in the WNBA. |
KEY INSIGHT
The WNBA tracks "Expected Field Goal %" based on how open a shot is. Three Valkyries (Ceci Zandalasini, Janelle Salaün, Veronica Burton) rank in the bottom 10 league-wide. Gabby Williams is 12th worst. This proves: The team cannot create easy looks. They are forced into tough shots every night.
The Gabby Williams Dilemma
Gabby Williams has been amazing—a "Swiss Army Knife" who does everything (defend, pass, rebound, score). She started the year shooting 40% from three-point range.
But lately?
- Her 3-point % has dropped to 33.1%.
- Against Chicago, she went 0-for-6 in 14 minutes.
- Coach Nakase benched her early in the 3rd quarter to get "fresh legs" in.
Why? Opposing defenses are targeting her. They know she is the only primary creator on the floor. They rough her up, double-team her, and make her life miserable.
THE HARD TRUTH
No coach benches A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, or Napheesa Collier in a close game for "fresh legs." Those are superstar offensive engines. Williams is a superstar defender and role player asked to be a #1 option. That is a mismatch in the playoffs.
The Missed Opportunity: Kelsey Plum
This offseason, superstar scorer Kelsey Plum (averages 20+ points/game) was available via trade.
- The Phoenix Mercury traded for her.
- The Valkyries declined to beat the offer.
At the time, it looked smart—why mess up the chemistry? Now, it looks like the missing piece. The Valkyries have elite defense, elite culture, elite coaching… but zero players who can reliably create an easy bucket when the game slows down in the playoffs.
The Championship Blueprint: What the Top Teams Have
Look at the true contenders: Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever.
They all have one thing the Valkyries lack:
A "Closers" — Shot Creators Who Score Against Set Defenses
In the playoffs, defenses get tighter, games slow down, and "system" offense breaks down. You need a player who can:
- Get her own shot off against two defenders.
- Draw a double team and find the open teammate.
- Hit a 25-foot step-back with a hand in her face.
Collier, Miles, Wilson, Plum, Bueckers. The Valkyries don’t have that player yet.
The Path Forward: Don’t Panic, But Read the Sign
Losing three in a row wouldn’t be a disaster. The Valkyries are still really good. They’ll likely play the Lynx tough on Monday.
But the message is written in neon lights the size of the Bay Bridge:
FIND A STAR. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.
The organization has the culture, the defense, the coach, and the role players. The final step requires a player who breaks the rules of "team basketball" by being unguardable 1-on-1.
Summary: The Valkyries’ Report Card
| Category | Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Defense | A+ | Best in the league. Suffocating. |
| Culture / Coaching | A+ | Unselfish, hard-playing, well-led. |
| Role Players | A | Burton, Williams, Hayes, Stokes—elite "glue" guys. |
| Half-Court Offense | C- | Too slow, too many tough shots, no easy buckets. |
| Star Power | F | Zero players who command a double-team consistently. |
| Championship Ceiling | Round 2 / Semis | Unless they add a scorer. |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Are the Valkyries a "fluke" because of their record?
No. Their defense is historically good. They are a legitimate top-4 team. But "very good regular season team" and "champion" are different tiers.
2. Why didn’t they trade for Kelsey Plum?
They likely valued their depth, draft picks, and salary cap flexibility over renting a star for one year. It was a logical "team-building" decision that now looks like a "championship window" mistake.
3. Can Gabby Williams become that star creator?
Unlikely at age 29. She is an all-time great connector and defender. Asking her to be a primary isolation scorer against playoff defenses is asking a fish to climb a tree. She helps a star; she isn’t the star.
4. Does "slow pace" cause the offensive struggles?
Yes. Playing slow (walking the ball up) lets the defense set up perfectly every possession. The Valkyries have no "fast break" points to pad their stats. They have to score against 5 set defenders every single time.
5. What does "Do whatever it takes to find a star" actually mean?
It means: Trade future draft picks, trade good young players, or spend big in free agency next summer to acquire a Top-15 offensive player. You build the fortress (defense) first—they did that. Now you buy the king (offense) to live in it.
Enjoy the ride, Valkyries fans. The foundation is rock solid. The penthouse just needs one more piece of furniture.