Sep 18, 2025 - News

Valkyries cap off first season with heads held high

Shawna Chen

Photo of Natalie Nakase holding a clear, rectangular trophy as people clap behind her — Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase is named 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year at SAP Center in San José. Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images

They may be out of the playoffs, but they've forever won our hearts.

State of play: The Golden State Valkyries ended their inaugural season Wednesday after playing a tough game and losing by only one point to the WNBA's top-seeded team, the Minnesota Lynx.

The defeat was hard to swallow for fans like myself who'd hoped to see the Valkyries keep making history, but it in no way diminished the team's achievements in a season that blew all expectations out of the water.

That drive for excellence earned head coach Natalie Nakase the WNBA Coach of the Year award.

Nakase, the league's first Asian American coach, led the Valkyries to a 23-21 record, an incredible feat considering the last WNBA expansion team (the Atlanta Dream) went 4-30.
Guard Veronica Burton (my personal fave) was also named Most Improved Player.

Yes, but: Can't say I didn't cringe hearing the WNBA commissioner botch Nakase's last name during the awards ceremony.

What's next: The front office will likely prioritize securing a star player in free agency now that they can attract even bigger names, ESPN reports.

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Valkyries cap off first season with heads held high

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