Last year, the Golden State Valkyries became the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its first season. They finished eighth overall with a 23-21 record. They may not have won a game—the Minnesota Lynx swept them—but just getting there without Kayla Thornton was a huge accomplishment.
A year later, the Valkyries are in a much better position. They are currently second in the standings with a 24-9 record, and they have beaten several other playoff teams. With a top-four finish very much within reach, the Valkyries will head into their second playoff appearance with home-court advantage and a more favorable matchup than the Lynx. If the playoffs started today, they would have to face the Dallas Wings, a team they have already beaten twice in the playoffs.
The Valkyries have another chance to make WNBA expansion history with a series win this year.
No expansion team has won a playoff series in its second season
Since the first WNBA season in 1997, there have been 13 expansion teams. Some have since folded or moved to other cities while others are still thriving. None of those teams won a playoff series in their second season, but some at least made the postseason.
The Detroit Shock (now the Dallas Wings) joined the league in 1998. By their second season, they were in the playoffs. Back then, the first round was a single-game elimination. Detroit lost to Charlotte, experiencing an early end to their first postseason outing.
The Orlando Miracle played their first season in 1999. In 2000, they made the playoffs, but lost 2-1 to the Cleveland Rockers. The Miami Sol also made the playoffs in their second season a year after the Miracle’s first postseason run. They lost 1-2 to the New York Liberty in the first round.
Last but not least, the Atlanta Dream made the playoffs in their second season, but lost 0-2 to Detroit.
So, if the Valkyries win a first-round series this year, they will be the first expansion team to accomplish that feat in its second season.
The Valkyries have a great shot at winning a series
Golden State built its identity on defense last season. That identity is still very much intact, and adding Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes in free agency only improved it. The Valkyries have the best defensive rating in the WNBA and are the only team that holds opponents to an average of below 80 points.
They have also been solid offensively with the sixth-best offensive rating in the league. When their 3-pointers are falling and Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, and Janelle Salaün are at their best, the Valkyries are a scary sight. Their home-court advantage also cannot be understated. Ballhalla is one of the most difficult environments to play in.
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