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3mo ago

Valkyries Rise to Title Contention in Second Season

Elite team defense and the WNBA’s highest-scoring bench have fueled the surge and leave the franchise weighing roster moves ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline.

The Valkyries celebrate after Golden State defeated the Indiana Fever 90-88 at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 28.
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes knocks down Spain’s Gavi during a scuffle after the World Cup Final match in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 19.
The bench late in the fourth quarter during a WNBA game against the Washington Mystics at Chase Center in San Francisco, Monday, July 20, 2026.
Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton goes up-court after her steal against the Washington Mystics in the fourth quarter during a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Monday, July 20, 2026.

Overview

  • At the All-Star break the Golden State Valkyries sit 19-8 and second in the WNBA after a nine-game win streak that began in late June.
  • The team’s identity is clear: league-high 3-point attempt volume paired with the WNBA’s top defense has produced wins despite uneven shooting.
  • Gabby Williams has emerged as the primary two-way star, leading the team in scoring and earning an All-Star starter nod while often guarding opponents’ best perimeter players.
  • Golden State’s bench leads the league in reserve scoring and has been a decisive factor in games, but the offense ranks midpack and is last in field-goal percentage and assists.
  • The club faces near-term roster choices: 2025 No. 5 pick Justė Jocytė has received very limited minutes and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin could make moves before the Aug. 2 deadline, while the franchise also posts rapid commercial growth with valuations reported between about $850 million and $1 billion.