Those three words sum up what the Golden State Valkyries accomplished in one of the most remarkable first seasons the WNBA has ever seen. The Valkyries didn’t just join the league — they stormed in, making history as the first expansion team ever to clinch a playoff berth in their inaugural season.
From opening night, you could sense something was different about this group. Expansion teams are usually expected to struggle early on, to take their lumps and slowly build. Golden State had other plans. They played with an edge, a sense of urgency that made it clear they weren’t here to just fill out the schedule.
Coach Natalie Nakase deserves a ton of credit for setting the tone. Her squad bought into a defensive identity that frustrated veteran teams and kept them in games they had no business winning on paper. But it wasn’t just defense — the chemistry was undeniable. Players celebrated each other’s successes, picked each other up after mistakes, and played like they’d been teammates for years rather than months.
Fans at Chase Center quickly fell in love with the team’s gritty style. Home games felt electric, and the Valkyries fed off that energy. Big stops, clutch shots, and late-game heroics became a trademark. Each win seemed to build belief, and by the time the regular season wrapped up, the idea of a playoff push didn’t feel far-fetched — it felt inevitable.
Making the postseason wasn’t just about winning games. It was a statement. It showed that Golden State isn’t just an expansion team; they’re already a competitor, ready to shake up the league’s balance of power.
For the players, coaches, and fans, this run will be remembered as the moment the Valkyries’ story truly began. And if this is what year one looks like, the rest of the league better be ready — because Golden State’s just getting started.
