The Golden State Valkyries' team-first identity has carried them to the precipice of the WNBA summit, but recent losses suggest the approach may have a ceiling. Prepare for Monday's rematch with the title-contending Minnesota Lynx, and the question is whether the ethos that built their success can also keep them from taking the final step.
In their second year, the Valkyries have leaned on a collective philosophy: a roster of good-not-great players who suffocate defensively and hit just enough shots to make it work. Coach Natalie Nakase has guided them to winning streaks of nine and six games this season, with unheralded talents such as Veronica Burton and free-agent signing Gabby Williams leading the way.
A Masterclass of Collective Brilliance
The Valkyries have been the league's best team in defensive rating and points allowed per game, with no single player averaging even 30 minutes per contest. The formula has been described as a masterclass of collective brilliance, a triumph of plurality over individuality.
Entering last week, the team, then 25-9, was the league's hottest. But the last two games have offered what some have called reality checks in the form of Napheesa Collier and Olivia Miles.
The star-studded Lynx visited Chase Center on Wednesday, with Miles scoring 20 points and eight assists, and Collier adding 18 points on tough turnarounds. The Lynx demonstrated that high-caliber shotmakers are not fazed by a hand in the face, defeating the Valkyries 77-66.
"I know that was a playoff feeling type of game, and I really love those. I can't wait for the next one," said guard Tiffany Hayes, who coined the arena's nickname, "Valkatraz."
A Surprising Loss to Chicago
The Valkyries then faced the Chicago Sky on Friday, a team described as perennially dysfunctional and expected to be an easy appetizer before Monday's main course. Instead, the Valkyries' offense cratered for a half, and Sydney Taylor hit a stepback shot in the final minute to secure a 73-70 win for Chicago.
The momentum the Valkyries had built is now gone, and the losses have highlighted a potential weakness: a lack of star shot-creators on the roster.
The Offensive Ceiling
While the Valkyries boast the league's best defense, they rank seventh in offensive rating (110.4), score the third-fewest points per game (82.5), and play at the slowest pace in the league. Advanced metrics show that several players, including Ceci Zandalasini, Janelle Salaun, and Veronica Burton, rank in the bottom 10 for lowest expected field goal percentage, with Gabby Williams 12th lowest among qualified players.
Williams' 3-point percentage has dropped from 40% to 33.1%, and she was benched early in the third quarter of the Chicago game after going 0 for 6 in 14 minutes. Coach Nakase said she was looking to get people in with fresh legs, and defenses have been targeting Williams.
The team declined to present a better offer than Phoenix for Kelsey Plum, who was on the trade market this winter, leaving the Valkyries without a proven shot-creator. The Lynx, Aces, and Fever all have players who can create their own shots, a commodity the Valkyries do not appear to have this season.
A Defining Rematch
Monday's rematch with the Lynx will provide another test of whether the Valkyries' collective identity can overcome individual star power. The team's defensive excellence and depth have been their hallmark, but against the league's elite shotmakers, that may not be enough.
As the Valkyries look to bounce back, the question is whether their team-first philosophy can evolve to meet the challenge, or whether it will ultimately prove to be their biggest flaw. The answer may well determine how far they can go in the postseason.