WNBA expansion teams are usually not very good. The Atlanta Dream only won four games in 2008 and the Chicago Sky only recorded five victories in 2006. Natalie Nakase entered the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season determined to change that narrative and lead a competitive team. With two early wins, the Valkyries have proven that they have what it takes to reach that goal.
Golden State’s latest loss to the New York Liberty underlined the team’s shortcomings and what they must improve on to be truly competitive this season. 3-point shooting is one area the Valkyries must improve consistently. Late-game execution is another.
Many of the Valkyries’ wins this season will have to come in gritty, hard-fought games that will require the team to battle until the very last second. Against the Washington Mystics, the Valkyries were able to do just that. When they were in a similar situation against the New York Liberty, they failed desperately. The difference is that Washington is a young, inexperienced team—more inexperienced than the Valkyries even—and the Liberty are the exact opposite. The Valkyries must learn to execute against veteran teams.
The Valkyries were no match for the Liberty in crunch time
For the Valkyries, it was a massive accomplishment to keep the game against the Liberty close, especially after being demolished by New York in the previous game. Golden State was able to take advantage of Jonquel Jones’ absence and gave the Liberty some real trouble. Nevertheless, the Valkyries couldn’t execute down the stretch and eventually lost by five points.
With 42.6 seconds left in the game, the Valkyries were down by just one point. Veronica Burton was on the baseline, ready to work in the ball. The Liberty defended well, and Kayla Thornton was the only Valkyries player to get open—not before the officials called a five-second violation, though. By not even getting the ball into the game, the Valkyries squandered a chance to tie the game or take the lead.
Then, with 26 seconds left, Natasha Cloud blew right past Julie Vanloo, encountered no help defense, and had an open layup to push the score to 77-80 in favor of the Liberty.
Nothing was lost yet, though, as the Valkyries got a chance to hit a three on their next offensive possession. Stephanie Talbot worked the ball in from the sideline and found Cecilia Zandalasini at the 3-point line. Zandalasini had to shoot the three over Leonie Fiebich and air-balled it, sealing the Liberty’s win.
The Valkyries have little experience playing together
The Golden State Valkyries are a completely new team, and most players have little experience playing together. On top of that, Nakase is a first-time head coach. A few hiccups in crunch time against a team like the Liberty are not unexpected.
Nevertheless, it is something the Valkyries must clean up if they want to be competitive this season. Good late-game execution could make the difference between a win and a loss in more than one instance.