It\u2019s no secret that the Golden State Valkyries have set the tone for the new wave of WNBA expansion. A year ago, it would have been hard to imagine the fledgling franchise in the midst of the WNBA playoff race. But the Valkyries not only became the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs in their inaugural season, they also set the first-year wins record.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Coach Natalie Nakase, formerly a key assistant on the Las Vegas Aces\u2019 back-to-back championship teams in 2022 and 2024, did a masterful job of putting together a competitive roster through the expansion draft. Beyond that, Nakase guided the team through various stretches this season that would have crumbled a less resilient and less prepared team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some Associated Press award honors for the Golden State Valkyries:<\/p>\n
-Veronica Burton was named the AP Most Improved Player of the Year
-Natalie Nakase was selected as the AP Coach of the Year
-Janelle Sala\u00fcn named to the AP All-Rookie Team<\/p>\n
\u2014 Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) September 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Nakase was awarded the AP Coach of the Year for her efforts on Friday and is the prohibitive favorite to win the official league award when it is announced next week. In addition, Veronica Burton was named the AP Most Improved Player and Janelle Salaun was named to the All-Rookie team, proving Nakase\u2019s ability to put a legitimate roster and team together.<\/p>\n During a recent appearance on popular women\u2019s basketball commentator Khristina Williams\u2019 \u201cIn Case You Missed It\u201d podcast on iHeartRadio, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert praised the Valkyries\u2019 first-year success, from the roster construction to the in-person atmosphere at \u201cBalhalla\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think a lot of people are always skeptical when you bring expansion franchises in,\u201d Engelbert said. \u201cThe Valkyries have proven with this incredible playbook off the court and on the court that you can be successful in year one. That’s what we want for all of our expansion franchises. Obviously, the Valkyries didn’t have a ton of huge, huge names.”<\/p>\n “They had some stars like Kayla Thornton and others,” Engelbert continued. “But I think Natalie (Nakase) and Ohemaa (Nyanin) have just done an incredible job. Kudos to the ownership team and the fan experience and the kind of game presentation that’s going on at Chase Center. And the 22 consecutive sellouts in year one.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery game was a sellout. So, really excited for that success and for that to be a roadmap for other expansion teams to benefit from and to succeed off of.\u201d<\/p>\n The Valkyries are set to open the postseason against the Lynx at the Target Center in Minneapolis tomorrow, with tip-off set for 1 p.m. ET\/10 a.m. PT<\/p>\n Valkyries Coach Natalie Nakase Wins Big Honor Ahead of Valkyries-Lynx Playoffs<\/a><\/p>\n Kate Martin Reacts to Veronica Burton Winning WNBA Award<\/a><\/p>\n Golden State Valkyries Predicted to Win Two Major WNBA Awards<\/a><\/p>\n