The Golden State Valkyries captured the 2026 WNBA championship in just their second season, becoming the first expansion team in North American professional sports to win a title that quickly. They did so without a single All-WNBA player, a first in league history. Finals MVP Gabby Williams summed up the achievement: "All it took was good people. That's it. We got good people. We got winners."
Season Recap
After making the playoffs in their inaugural 2025 season, the Valkyries entered 2026 with modest expectations. They traded the No. 8 draft pick (Flau'jae Johnson) for two second-rounders to preserve salary-cap flexibility, and lost center Iliana Rupert to maternity leave. A 10-7 start included a 3-6 record against eventual playoff teams. The season turned after a nine-game winning streak that featured three victories over the Atlanta Dream in 11 days. Golden State closed 22-5 to finish 32-12 and secure the No. 2 seed.
Defensive Dominance
The Valkyries built their success on historic defense. Their 99.1 defensive rating led the league by more than four points per 100 possessions. They ranked second in opponent turnover rate (19.2%) and opponent true shooting (53.5%), and held opponents to a league-low 14 restricted-area attempts, 61.4% shooting in the restricted area, and 31.1 paint points per game. Williams, Veronica Burton, and Kiah Stokes earned All-Defensive honors.
Offensive Struggles and Playoff Resilience
Offense was a persistent issue. No player averaged 15 points per game. The team posted a 108.2 offensive rating (seventh), shot a league-worst 42.2% from the field, and launched a record 30.3 three-pointers per game. Yet they survived elimination games with dramatic comebacks: erasing a 16-point deficit against the Dallas Wings, sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces while shooting 36.4%, and winning four Finals games while scoring just 68, 67, 64, and 68 points.
Game 7 Heroics
In the decisive Game 7 against the Dream, Williams scored 28 of her 30 points in the second half, tying the record for most points in a winner-take-all Finals game. She hit the go-ahead three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining. "[Coach Natalie Nakase] told me to stay patient. I trust her with my life," Williams said. "I stayed patient. I trusted her. She said, 'Stay patient, stay patient. The game is going to open up for you.' And it did."
Offseason Outlook: Cap Space and Max Free Agents
General manager Ohemaa Nyanin explicitly preserved cap space for a max free agent. The Valkyries have only $3.2 million in guaranteed salaries for 2027 against a projected cap above $7 million. Key free agents include Kayla Thornton (unrestricted), Tiffany Hayes (unrestricted), Cecilia Zandalasini (restricted), and Kaitlyn Chen (reserved). The 2027 free-agent class features Napheesa Collier, Jackie Young, Kelsey Mitchell, and Kelsey Plum.
Potential Targets
Collier is viewed as the most natural fit: an efficient scorer and former Defensive Player of the Year who would enhance both ends. Young offers elite offense without hurting the defense. Mitchell and Plum are even more potent offensively but are considered poor defenders, which may conflict with the Valkyries' identity.
Draft Outlook
Golden State holds picks 14, 29, and 44 in the 2027 WNBA Draft. The first-rounder at No. 14 is the only one likely to impact 2027. A draft-and-stash candidate such as French forward Aïnhoa Risacher — an unselfish, defense-minded player — could align with the team's culture without disrupting current operations. The Valkyries already have three French players on the roster.
