In just their second season as a franchise, the Golden State Valkyries have booked a place in the WNBA Finals. A second-round sweep over the Las Vegas Aces proves that this team is more than capable of winning a championship. And they achieved such a feat with barely utilising Janelle Salaün, the unanimous Sixth Player of the Year. Golden State's roster depth is no joke; Natalie Nakase's team surely heads into the series as title favourites.
During the regular season, Janelle Salaün established herself as a critical part of Natalie Nakase's offensive blueprint. Despite all 40 of her appearances coming off the bench, the second-year star averaged 12.7 points and 4 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 39.2% from deep.
This stunning campaign saw the 25-year-old be unanimously voted the WNBA's Sixth Player of the Year and was a major factor in the Valkyries' ability to secure the second seed ahead of the playoffs. Yet, none of these achievements have counted for much in the postseason. After two first-round appearances against the Dallas Wings, Salaün saw her role heavily reduced, recording just 20 minutes of action across the series against the Aces.
Salaün's lack of action should terrify the Atlanta Dream
Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream are ready for a championship. The roster has built momentum at exactly the right time. Talent and tenacity saw Atlanta record their own second-round sweep over the New York Liberty. Nevertheless, while the Dream have DeWanna Bonner making a critical impact from the bench, the Valkyries' depth is on another planet.
Most head coaches would be questioned for leaving one of their most dangerous weapons on the bench in the biggest moments of the season, not Natalie Nakase. Each move she makes is calculated. There is only one thing on her mind, and that is winning. Nakase knows how deep her bench is and that she has multiple options to use depending on the opponent.
Even by limiting Janelle to around 10 minutes of action, Golden State's secondary unit still scored 27 points in the team's 87-77 Game 3 victory over the Las Vegas Aces -- 11 of which came from Tiffany Hayes.
In comparison, during Atlanta's 85-83 win over the New York Liberty, the Dream recorded just 10 points from the bench. It should be noted that DeWanna Bonner started the game, with Alisha Gray sitting out due to a hand injury. Head coach Karl Smesko kept his rotation to just seven players on the night, proving that in terms of depth, the Dream simply don't compare to the Valkyries.
It's not often that a head coach can reduce the role of one of their best players and live to tell the tale. The fact that the Valkyries swept the reigning champions without much help from the Sixth Player of the Year should worry the Dream. Golden State's roster isn't just deep; it's versatile and fully prepared to face various opponent profiles. The franchise feels primed to win its first WNBA championship.
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