When an expansion team enters a sports league, it is often expected to struggle initially. Building a competitive roster from scratch and establishing a strong front office is an enormous challenge.
However, the Golden State Valkyries have proven otherwise.
After making WNBA history during their inaugural season, the Valkyries have followed up with an even better second year. Sitting at 29-11 and second in the Western Conference standings, they have already clinched their second consecutive playoff appearance.
Unlike many expansion franchises, Golden State didn't take long to make its presence felt.
The Valkyries went 23-21 in their inaugural 2025 season, becoming the first expansion franchise in WNBA history to reach the playoffs in its debut season. They also set the WNBA expansion-team record for most wins in a debut season.
The Valkyries remained competitive throughout the season, including a five-game winning streak near the end. Their longest losing streak was only four games, with two losses to the New York Liberty and one each against the Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury — all playoff-contending teams.
While the Valkyries were a respectable offensive team, their identity was built around defense. Throughout the season, they allowed 76.3 points per game, ranking first in the league. They also finished with a defensive rating of 99.8, good for third in the league.
The Valkyries weren't going to let their inexperience as a franchise stop them. They wanted to compete immediately.
Through the Valkyries' first two seasons, few players have represented the franchise better than Veronica Burton.
Burton's WNBA career started slowly. During her first three seasons with the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun, she averaged just 2.7 points per game and struggled to find consistency from the field and beyond the arc.
However, everything changed when Golden State selected her in the expansion draft.
During the Valkyries' inaugural season, Burton averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. She won the Most Improved Player award while earning All-Defensive Second Team honors. She also finished ninth in voting for the Most Valuable Player award.
Burton is now showing that her breakout season was no fluke. This year, she is averaging 12.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 43.2% from the field and 36.3% from three-point range.
While players like Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaun have also performed at high levels, Burton's leadership and consistency have made her one of the central pieces of the organization.
The Valkyries' success is no longer simply about exceeding expectations for an expansion team. They have established a winning culture, reached the playoffs in each of their first two seasons, and developed players who have become important pieces of their foundation.
With Golden State already sitting at 29-11 in its second season, the franchise has accomplished something few expansion teams have. If this level of success continues, the Valkyries' first two seasons could ultimately stand among the strongest starts an expansion franchise has ever produced.
The post The Golden State Valkyries Are Making Expansion-Team History appeared first on The Lead .
