Four-Game Surge

The Golden State Valkyries enter the FIBA Women's World Cup break on a four-game winning streak, all by double digits, keeping their hopes alive for a first-place finish in the WNBA standings. The team's most recent victory came Sunday with an 86-69 road win over the Portland Fire.

Guard Tiffany Hayes, who scored 18 points in that game, credited the team's recent success to their work ethic. "When you work hard, you've got to play hard a little bit," Hayes told KPIX+. "We just work hard. We've got another level of intensity to us right now, and we know what our goal is for this season."

Following an unexpected loss to the Chicago Sky on Aug. 21, the Valkyries held each of their last four opponents to under 40% shooting while forcing nearly 13 turnovers per game, including 17 in an 80-66 win over the league-leading Minnesota Lynx on Aug. 24.

Defensive Foundation

The Valkyries' defensive performance has been a key factor in their recent run. Sports Illustrated notes that Golden State allows the fewest points per game in the WNBA this season and describes the team's defense as "the most disruptive defense in the league." In the win over Minnesota, the Lynx managed just 66 points, their lowest output of the season, per Sports Illustrated.

Sports Illustrated also reports that Valkyries rookie Olivia Miles scored seven points in that victory, her lowest output of the season. Miles later rebounded with 21 points in Minnesota's loss to Atlanta on Sunday.

Playoff Picture Tightens

With the win over Minnesota, the Valkyries (29-11) sit two games behind the Lynx (31-9), who have lost two straight, including an 89-81 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. According to Sports Illustrated, Minnesota holds the tiebreaker over Golden State, meaning the Valkyries would need to make up three games in the standings to claim the top seed.

All four of the Valkyries' remaining games are against teams with losing records: Portland twice, Seattle, and Los Angeles. In contrast, three of Minnesota's final four games are against playoff-bound teams. The Valkyries also hold a two-game lead over the Las Vegas Aces for second place; the Aces' remaining schedule also features four teams with losing records.

Sports Illustrated notes that the WNBA regular season will resume on Sep. 17 and conclude on Sep. 24, with all teams playing four games. The playoffs begin Sep. 27 with a best-of-three first round.

The Valkyries have a 15-5 record at Chase Center this season. Nneka Ogwumike's regular season finale will be in Los Angeles against the Sparks.

Embracing the Break

Despite their momentum, players and coaches are welcoming the pause. The WNBA's schedule is on hold for nearly three weeks for the FIBA Women's World Cup in Germany, running from Aug. 31 to Sep. 17, according to Sports Illustrated.

"We need it for sure," forward Kayla Thornton told KPIX+. "But we all need the break, and I'm happy for my teammates that made the World Cup."

Hayes echoed that sentiment, saying, "We're all going to be excited to either go home and see some family or take some time, go to the beach, relax our minds a little bit, and get ready to come back and go to work again."

The Valkyries will have several players representing their countries in the tournament: France's Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün, Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini, and Australia's Miela Sowah. Kokoro Tanaka, drafted by the Valkyries, is playing for Japan.

Head coach Natalie Nakase will serve as an assistant for Team USA under head coach Kara Lawson. Nakase told KPIX+ she plans to use the break for preparation: "Our coaches are going to be collectively working together... We're going to be zooming, FaceTiming." She also noted the team's road-heavy schedule has helped build cohesion. "We spend more time actually on the road, and so I think that just helps us when we're putting on the court the love and care that we do off the court," she said.

Thornton added that the break provides a reset. "We need it for sure," she said. "But we all need it, and I'm happy for my teammates that made the World Cup."

The Valkyries have won four straight games, all by double digits, heading into the break. After the break, they face a favorable schedule with four games against non-playoff teams. Sports Illustrated suggests Minnesota and Golden State could meet in the postseason, with the Valkyries seen as a legitimate contender.