The Golden State Valkyries are nearly halfway through the season and sit third in the WNBA standings. They have shown significant improvement, particularly in their ability to close out games. Gabby Williams has been a key player, averaging 5.3 points in the fourth quarter, which is ninth in the league.
Strong Defense
The Valkyries have the second-best defensive rating in the WNBA at 102.1. They allow the fewest points in the paint, with only 31.2 points per game, despite being an undersized team. Their defense is led by Williams and point guard Veronica Burton, who make up one of the most difficult defensive back courts to penetrate in the WNBA.
The team’s bench depth has also been a significant factor in their success. They lead the WNBA with 34.3 points off the bench per game, powered by 12.5 points per game from Janelle Salaun. Other notable bench players include Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, and Laeticia Amihere.
Offense
The Valkyries have had some cold shooting streaks, but their excellent defense has helped them survive in some games. However, against top teams, they need to be more consistent on offense. They make the most three-pointers in the league, with 10.8 per game, but have the lowest points in the paint per game at 35.5.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
