UNCASVILLE, CT - JULY 10: Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries dribbles the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun on July 10, 2026 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
It’s a stat that’s been floated often: the Valkyries are 17-2 against teams who are not the Minnesota Lynx or Las Vegas Aces. Their two other losses, 90-82 at Indiana and an early-season defeat to Chicago at home, look like aberrations more and more.
Golden State ranks in third place in the WNBA, just behind the Lynx and Aces. They are now just six wins shy of matching last season’s win total even with 20 games left in the season.
“Four games in seven days, we won all four,” said Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase on Friday. “That was our goal, and I understand it's not an easy goal, but I have to also get them to understand it's going to be hard, and it's going to be harder as we continue.”
The Valkyries have the fourth-worst offense in the league, worst shooting percentage and fewest points in the paint per game.
So how in the world are they one of the top three teams in the WNBA? Here are five stats that tell the story.
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