The Golden State Valkyries might lack the singular offensive superstar possessed by several other contenders, but they have constructed one of the WNBA’s most complete, cohesive and difficult-to-solve teams. Rather than relying on one player to dominate every possession, Golden State wins through suffocating defense, exceptional depth, lineup versatility and a collective commitment to coach Natalie Nakase’s system.
The results confirm the Valkyries are much more than an intriguing postseason sleeper. Golden State has compiled a 29-11 record, owns the league’s second-best net rating at plus-9.6 and allows a WNBA-low 75.4 points per game.
The Valkyries enter the FIBA World Cup break on a four-game winning streak, all by at least 14 points, showing they are peaking as the postseason approaches.
Their championship viability rests on how well their pieces complement one another. Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton spearhead an elite perimeter defense, Kiah Stokes protects the rim, and Janelle Salaün, Cecilia Zandalasini, Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton and Kaitlyn Chen provide scoring from virtually every part of the rotation.
That balance will give Nakase the flexibility to change coverages, adjust matchups and utilize several different closing combinations over the course of a playoff series.
Here are three reasons the Valkyries can win the 2026 WNBA Championship:
Defensively Stout
Defense is the Valkyries’ greatest equalizer. Golden State is the only team to allow fewer than 83 PPG while owning a 101.3 defensive rating, helping produce the league’s second-best net rating at plus-7.2. The Valkyries also limit opponents to 41.8% shooting overall and 32.9% from 3-point range.
That effectiveness begins with Williams and Burton, two elite perimeter defenders who can disrupt primary scorers and initiate offense after turnovers. Stokes, meanwhile, provides a proven championship rim protector averaging 1.7 blocks per game.
Definition of under lock and key
@kstokes41 held it down on the 5-game trip
pic.twitter.com/TARrJRNSza
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) September 1, 2026
Golden State recently supplied a postseason-level demonstration by holding the New York Liberty to a season-low 60 points and 30.2% shooting, completing a season sweep. In a playoff series – when possessions decline and opponents become more familiar – that defensive versatility becomes even more valuable.
Deeply Entrenched
Golden State does not depend upon one player producing 25 points every night. Williams leads the team at 14.3 PPG, but Salaün (12.9), Burton (12.3), Hayes (8.9), Zandalasini (8.8), Thornton (7.8) and Chen (6.8) give Nakase numerous credible scoring options.
That balance lets the Valkyries survive foul trouble, injuries and cold shooting nights without abandoning their identity. Their reserves have produced several enormous performances, including games with 43 bench points against Indiana and 39 against Washington, contributing to a league-leading 36.0 PPG.
The slice, the dice, the scoop. @Veronicaab22 ate here fr. @Waymo | Drive of the Game pic.twitter.com/4hIfFtJc3w
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) August 31, 2026
Salaün has provided starter-level offense as a potential Sixth Player of the Year candidate, while Hayes supplies playoff experience and another dependable creator.
The formula was evident in an 86-69 win over Portland, when Hayes scored 18 points, Thornton added 17 and Chen contributed 15, without Golden State needing a huge individual performance from Williams.
Sustainable Success
Golden State’s current run has it within two games of league-leading Minnesota. The Valkyries outscored Minnesota, Connecticut, New York and Portland by a combined 75 points in their final four games before the pause. That’s not by accident.
This is not merely a defensive team surviving close games. Golden State scores 82.6 PPG and owns a 110.9 offensive rating. That is the statistical profile of a genuine championship contender, not an overachieving expansion story like many believed we saw last season.
Woke up thinking about this cross-court dime, timed to perfection.
VB
KC@ampm | Assist of the Game pic.twitter.com/brtYDYUmzN
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) August 31, 2026
The remaining concern is late-game shot creation against teams featuring A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier or Caitlin Clark. But Golden State can counter that star-power deficit with the league’s stingiest defense, multiple closing-lineup combinations and a collective system that has already produced the WNBA’s second-best record.
If the Valkyries keep defending at this level while maintaining balanced scoring, they have everything they need to complete their rapid rise capped by a 2026 WNBA championship.
W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Writer at Ballislife.com. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.
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