The Golden State Valkyries’ Strength is Built on Defense
Photo credited: Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group
3.5 minute read
By Andrea Aruino
The Golden State Valkyries are the first WNBA team to make the Finals in just their second year of existence. The Valkyries’ front office worked diligently to build a competitive roster capable of going toe-to-toe with teams that had more time to develop chemistry and build relationships, making the team’s run all the more impressive. It’s easy to look at their accomplishments and credit their success to the talented roster, but one of the pillars that defines the team is defense. Head coach Natalie Nakase reinforces this philosophy by emphasizing defense as a foundation for generating offense.
Throughout the 2026 season, the Valkyries established themselves as the WNBA’s top defensive team. Golden State finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in defensive rating at 99.3, meaning opponents scored approximately 99.3 points per 100 possessions. The team also allowed a league-low 75.1 points per game, demonstrating their ability to limit opposing offenses. These numbers helped establish Golden State as one of the most difficult teams to score against in the league.
Their individual defensive accomplishments reflect that collective commitment. Three Valkyries earned All-Defensive Team honors following the regular season. Gabby Williams was named to the First Team, while Veronica Burton and center Kiah Stokes earned Second Team selections. Golden State was one of only two teams with three players recognized across the All-Defensive teams, joining its Finals opponent, the Atlanta Dream.
Williams and Burton each averaged 1.6 steals per game, giving Golden State two perimeter defenders capable of disrupting ball handlers and creating opportunities for their teammates. Meanwhile, Stokes recorded 74 blocks, the second-highest total in the league behind four time MVP, A’ja Wilson’s 79. Her ability to protect the rim makes it more difficult for opponents to finish around the basket and forces them to reconsider their approach offensively.
Photo credits: NBAE via Getty Images
The relationship between defense and offense became particularly clear in the Finals. In Game 1, Golden State defeated Atlanta 68-64 in a physical, low-scoring matchup. The Valkyries held the Dream to just eight points in the fourth quarter and kept them scoreless during the final three minutes, securing their first-ever WNBA Finals victory. The performance demonstrated how defensive stops can determine the outcome of a game even when neither team is shooting efficiently. By preventing Atlanta from scoring late, the Valkyries gave themselves the opportunity to close out the win. However, in Game 2, Atlanta responded by forcing Golden State into 19 turnovers, the most they had tallied up this entire season, allowing the Dream to score 24 points off those mistakes, resulting in a loss for the Valkyries 79-65.
At every level of basketball, defense provides a team with something it can control. Players cannot guarantee that every shot will fall, but they can control their effort, communication, positioning, and willingness to compete for every possession, something that UPBasketball emphasizes throughout any training. Defense also reinforces the importance of playing as a unit. When one player gets beat, another must be ready to help. These habits reflect a broader lesson about basketball that individual talent can create opportunities, but collective effort allows a team to execute consistently.
In just two seasons, the Golden State Valkyries have established themselves as a force in the WNBA. After reaching the playoffs in their inaugural season in 2025, Golden State advanced to the 2026 WNBA Finals with a 32-12 regular-season record, finishing second in the league, and a 3-0 semifinal sweep of the Las Vegas Aces. The team’s success has also strengthened its connection with the Bay Area, where it has sold out every home game.
Beyond the court, the Valkyries’ success highlights the importance of representation in women’s sports and what is possible when women athletes receive the visibility, investment and support they deserve. Their journey shows that a strong team is built on more than individual talent. Through defensive discipline and collective effort, the Valkyries have created an identity that brings players together and allows them to compete at the highest level. At every level of basketball, that same commitment can help players grow, contribute and win.
