The Golden State Valkyries have emerged as one of the league’s top teams following an impressive run of victories. The franchise achieved its longest winning streak in team history by securing nine consecutive wins, including a comeback victory over the Washington Mystics in which they held the opponent to just 2 of 8 shooting over the final six minutes while forcing three turnovers on a 15-4 closing run.
With their record now standing at 19-7, the Valkyries have nearly equaled their entire win total from the previous season of 23 victories. The team’s ascent has been fueled by the addition of free-agent signing Gabby Williams, whose presence has enhanced offensive production. The team’s three-point shooting has improved to 34.6% compared to 32.5% the previous year. However, the foundation of their success has been built primarily on defensive excellence.
The Valkyries’ defense has been particularly suffocating during their winning streak, allowing more than 75 points in only one game and maintaining a defensive rating of 93.7. During a July 6 contest, they restricted the Mystics to just 49 points, marking the fewest points scored by any team this season and only the fourth instance since 2020 of a team failing to reach 50 points. For the season overall, they currently hold the league’s best defensive rating at 100.3.
Despite their defensive dominance, questions persist about their offensive capabilities. The Valkyries rank eighth in offensive rating at 107.7 and last in field goal percentage at 41.9%, making them the second-worst offensive team among current playoff contenders. Nevertheless, their defensive prowess has proven sufficient to overcome offensive limitations. Team player Kaitlyn Chen emphasized the mental and effort-based nature of their defensive approach, noting that their focus on preventing opponents from scoring has been essential to their recent success.