The Reddit post carried a simple message. This was not hype. This was history. The title said it all. Natalie Nakase led an expansion team to the playoffs and picked up Coach of the Year in the same season. The internet took it from there. People shared clips, numbers, and packed crowds. A fan said, “First season and already in the playoffs, this feels like a turning point for the league.” The talk was not about a miracle. It was about a plan that worked fast. It was about a coach who set a tone from day one.
First season, first playoff ticket
The Golden State Valkyries did something no other WNBA expansion team had done. They reached the playoffs in year one. They clinched the berth with an 84 to 80 win over the Dallas Wings at Chase Center. That night felt like a statement. It was a tight game, and they held firm in the last minute. The league and team sites called it a first in WNBA history, and the celebration looked like a city finding a new team to love.
There was more than one big number. The Valkyries filled every home date. The building was loud all season. Coverage noted an all time level of support for a new club in this league. That noise matched the way they played. The roster was built on defense and effort. The style made sense for a brand new group. It gave them a floor they could trust while the offense found its rhythm.
“They compete like their life depends on it.” – Natalie Nakase.
Coach of the Year and the blueprint
The Coach of the Year ballot told the rest of the story. The league announced that Nakase won the award in her first season as a WNBA head coach. Voters recognized results and identity. The team finished 23 and 21. They defended, they hit threes, and they never looked new by the time the calendar turned to August. The award was a nod to how quickly Nakase built a culture and a system that fit the players she had.
The numbers back it up. Under Nakase, the Valkyries set a WNBA record for wins by an expansion team in its first season. They also posted elite defensive marks that traveled on the road. The season ended against the top seeded Lynx. Even in defeat, the theme held. This was a club that defended, competed, and kept games close. The feeling around the league is that the foundation is strong. The front office called the group competitive from the start. The coach asked for defense and togetherness. The players delivered both.
People on the internet did not argue much this time. They enjoyed it. Another fan commented, “Sellouts, a playoff spot, and Coach of the Year in year one, that is a dream for any new team.” It felt like a promise of more to come. The city showed up. The players showed up. The coach set the tone. Year one was not supposed to look like this. Now it does, and the bar is higher for everyone who comes next.
I bounce between stadium seats and window seats, chasing games and new places. Sports fuel my heart, travel clears my head, and every trip ends with a story worth sharing.
