The Golden State Valkyries are back on the court at the Sephora Performance Center in Oakland, sharpening their game plan after a short vacation and the pause caused by the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. Four players and head coach Natalie Nakase are still overseas, with Nakase serving as an assistant for the gold‑medal‑winning USA squad.
Practice resumes, eyes on the playoffs
“We miss her,” center Kiah Stokes said of Coach Nakase. “She’s still texting us, and we know she’ll have notes for us when she returns.” The team’s focus is clear: build intensity every day and prepare for a postseason that could see them host the first two games of the second round if they finish in the top two.
Regular‑season schedule and standings
The Valkyries have already clinched a playoff berth and sit second in the Western Conference, two games behind the Minnesota Lynx. To claim the top seed, they must sweep their remaining four games while Minnesota loses three of its last four. Their upcoming opponents are the league’s lowest‑ranked teams: the expansion Portland Fire on September 18, the Seattle Storm on September 19, a return to Portland on September 22, and the Los Angeles Sparks on September 24.
Golden State’s schedule is comparatively light; Minnesota faces tougher competition, including New York, Indiana (twice) and Connecticut, all of which are playoff‑bound.
Players speak on preparation
Guard Kaila Charles explained the team’s mindset: “When we came back to practice, we talked about building for the playoffs now. We took the break, so now we’re going to ramp up and build that intensity every single day.” Guard Tiffany Hayes added, “We have a lot at stake. We’re a new team, we haven’t been here before, we were knocked out early last year, so we want to be consistent with how we’re getting ready.”
Award contenders
Bench veteran Janelle Salaun is a leading candidate for the league’s Sixth Player Award, averaging 12.9 points per game off the bench. Teammates Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen are also mentioned in the conversation. Forward‑center Gabby Williams is in the mix for Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the All‑Defensive team, with Kiah Stokes and Veronica Burton also under consideration. The Most Improved award race is tight, with Kaitlyn Chen noted as a possible dark horse.
Playoff outlook
The WNBA’s first‑round games begin on September 27, with the Valkyries set to host the opening matchup regardless of their opponent. Potential opponents could include Dallas, New York or Washington, all tied near the bottom of the playoff standings at 24‑16. Golden State holds an 8‑1 record against those teams this season, with the only loss coming on July 20 to the Washington Mystics.
Stokes summed up the team’s goal: “Our goal for the next four games is to win when we need to win, stay focused, play hard, and then wait for the playoffs.” Hayes echoed the sentiment, noting that the Valkyries are now being viewed as a genuine contender rather than a newcomer.
Looking ahead
With the regular season winding down, the Valkyries aim to secure the best possible seed, protect home‑court advantage and enter the postseason with momentum. Fans in Oakland can expect a thrilling finish to the season and a hopeful start to the playoffs, as the team strives to bring a championship to the Bay Area.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
