Can Valkyries carry historic playoff debut into Finals?

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WNBL champion Veronica Burton, Australian Opals stars Steph Talbot, Chloe Bibby and Perth Lynx import Laeticia Amihere have created history with the WNBA expansion Golden State Valkyries in 2025.

Burton, 25, Talbot, 31, Bibby, 27, and Amihere, 24, will be forever part of a WNBA expansion team to make the playoffs in its first season.

The Valkyries clinched a playoff spot with a 23-19 record with two games to play.

Both Talbot and Bibby are no longer with the Valkyries. Talbot was waived in early July and signed with the New York Liberty while Bibby was waived, re-signed and waived again before joining Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever on July 25, 2025.

Burton, who won the 2024-25 WNBL championship with the Bendigo Spirit, has been playing at an elite level in 2025. In 42 games this season she is averaging 12 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists as a leader of the Californian franchise.

Origins & Ownership

• The Golden State Valkyries are an expansion team awarded to the WNBA and based in San Francisco, debuting in the 2025 season.‍
• Owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, who also own the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.
• The expansion fee was reportedly $50 million over 10 years.

Team Identity & Branding

• The name “Valkyries” and team branding—including violet, gold, black, and white as team colours—were publicly unveiled in May 2024.
• The logo features the Bay Bridge, with its cables doubling as wings and a tower as a sword—reflecting regional identity.
• Developed a distinct and impactful identity separate from the Warriors, generating strong early interest and unprecedented merchandise sales across 70 countries even before their first game.
• The Valkyries quickly became a cultural touchpoint in the Bay Area—embracing diversity, a growing fanbase, and rich storytelling.

Management & Coaching

• President: Jess Smith (previously with Angel City FC), overseeing day-to-day operations.
• General Manager: Ohemaa Nyanin, formerly with the New York Liberty, was appointed to build the inaugural team.
• Head Coach: Natalie Nakase was named in late 2024, leading the team in their rookie season.
• Coaching staff also includes assistants Kasib Powell, Sugar Rodgers, and Landon Tatum.

Roster Snapshot (2025 Season)

Key players include:

• Veronica Burton (G): ~11.9 PPG, 5.9 APG, 4.4 RPG – standout guard who delivered historic performances.
• Kayla Thornton (F): ~14.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG – veteran contributor.
• Janelle Salaün (F): ~11.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG – consistent scoring threat.
• Iliana Rupert (C): ~9.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG – added interior presence.
• Tiffany Hayes (G): ~11.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.0 APG – veteran playmaker.
• Additional contributors include Laeticia Amihere, Carla Leite, Kaila Charles, Temi Fágbénlé, Kate Martin, Cecilia Zandalasini, Monique Billings, Elizabeth Kitley.

Remarkable 2025 Season Highlights

• Sold out all 22 home games at the Chase Center, becoming the new WNBA attendance record-holder with an average of 18,064 fans per game and a season total of 397,408.
• Helped the league surpass three million regular-season fans for the first time in history.
• Valued at approximately (USD) $500 million, reflecting strong franchise momentum and fan loyalty

On-Court Success

• Finished with a 23–19 record, clinching a playoff berth in their inaugural season, making them the first WNBA expansion team ever to do so.
• Coached by Natalie Nakase, now selected as Coach of the Year by a prominent media voter, due to her leadership and team cohesion.
• Veronica Burton posted a historic stat line: 25 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks—a combination never before seen in WNBA history.
• Laeticia Amihere, a Canadian, made impactful contributions off the bench despite being waived earlier in the season.