The Golden State Valkyries made it to the finals with a very unusual roster. Instead of building a big three headlined by an MVP candidate, they went all-in on their defense-first underdog mentality. They built a roster of players who had never felt respected in the WNBA before, had been deemed expendable by their former teams, or had been waiting for their W opportunity after great overseas careers.
It got them to the finals, and the Valkyries and every single player on that roster deserve a ton of credit for that. But this is still just year two for the franchise. They’re far from done building, and the finals are exposing how badly the Valkyries need a WNBA-proven number-one option, a go-to scorer who can create offense out of nothing.
Gabby Williams has filled that role admirably for most of the regular season and stretches in the playoffs. She scored 26 points in Game 1 of the finals to lead the Valkyries to their first win, for example. But since then, she has struggled, shooting below 30% from the field and scoring no more than 15 points in Games 2 and 3. Jordin Canada fell into Williams’s leg in Game 1, and the latter came up limping, but she maintains that she is healthy.
Even if the Valkyries can battle back from the 2-1 deficit, they need to shore up their offense with another star scorer ahead of next season. It will give them a better chance to return to the finals.
The Valkyries need another go-to option
Williams has played like a superstar at times, but the Valkyries have never been at their best when they throw Williams the ball and ask her to create offense out of nothing. They thrive when they can set the tone defensively, slow down the game, and work opposing defenses until they get a good shot. The fact that no Valkyries player averaged more than 15 points per game during the regular season and their second-leading scorer came off the bench is a direct result of Natalie Nakase’s selfless strength-in-numbers approach.
But that offensive approach has failed the Valkyries in the finals. Atlanta is an excellent defensive team with the newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year and two other All-Defensive team selections. They also match the Valkyries’ energy. Golden State beat teams by simply playing harder than them and wearing them down all season long. The Dream, led by Angel Reese, are not wearing down and they are playing just as hard. Moreover, players like Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton just haven’t delivered as scorers.
When their trusted offensive approach fails, the Valkyries don’t seem to have a true backup plan. Williams, Cecilia Zandalasini, Tiffany Hayes, and Janelle Salaün are all tough shot-makers, but they have not looked like the type of player that you can just give the ball to and trust that they will get a bucket in the finals. Williams could become that player, but the Valkyries may be better off getting her some help in the offseason and having someone else to go to in the big moments.
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