SAN FRANCISCO — With nine games remaining, the Valkyries have found a way to be in playoff position without consistency in their lineups.
When multiple players left for the EuroBasket tournament in June, Golden State stayed afloat. When injured All-Star Kayla Thornton was ruled out for the rest of the season last month, the Valkyries stepped up and won games without their unquestioned leader.
And now, in the season’s home stretch, the Valkyries are in a similar predicament.
On Sunday, sharpshooting center Iliana Rupert was knocked out of their loss to Atlanta with a head injury and is currently in concussion protocol with a day-to-day label. Just minutes before Tuesday’s loss to Phoenix, veteran starters Cecilia Zandalasini (calf) and Tiffany Hayes (rest) were scratched from the lineup with no timetable for return. Next week, Golden State will re-evaluate backup center Monique Billings, who hasn’t played in three weeks because of a left ankle sprain.
Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaun (13) and Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) look down after a foul against the Phoenix Mercury in the fourth quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, May 19, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
But as the expansion team pushes for a playoff spot, the shorthanded Valkyries will have to find another gear playing the league’s hardest remaining schedule, per Elias Sports Bureau.
The Valkyries believe their experience playing with multiple players out of the lineup will only help them moving forward.
“We definitely have a lot of confidence,” point guard Veronica Burton said about the team moving forward with injuries to key players. “I think we have an ability to step up and not be phased by different rotations or playing different positions. We have people that are really selfless on our team and think bigger than themselves.
“When we play for each other, it doesn’t really matter who’s on the court. We trust each other. We love each other. And so from a confidence standpoint, I think we genuinely believe in every single player on this roster. So whoever’s playing, whoever’s on that court, there’s an element of trust that allows us to be successful.”
When the Valkyries lost players to injuries or overseas commitments before, Golden State had the luxury of trying different lineups because earlier in the season the stakes weren’t as high as they are now. But with injuries and roster decisions looming, the Valkyries have little room for error as the playoffs near.
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) and Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper (2) struggle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, May 19, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The Valkyries will have to make a decision on guard Kaila Charles, who has signed the maximum of three hardship contracts. Her latest contract expires Friday.
Charles has been a pleasant surprise for the Valkyries as a do-it-all guard who can play heavy minutes and even close games. If the Valkyries want to keep her, a player will have to be cut to make room for her on the roster.
Charles’ roster spot puts the Valkyries in an interesting position as they are currently as shorthanded as they have been all season. Golden State played with eight players in Tuesday’s loss to the Mercury, and though the Valkyries gave a valiant effort, the expansion team clearly ran out of gas in the fourth quarter.
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase reacts after a referee’s call in the second quarter of a WNBA game against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, May 19, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
When Thornton went down, Zandalasini and Hayes were two of the Valkyries’ top scoring options. In the five games before Tuesday’s loss, Zandalasini was averaging 16.4 points on 52.8% shooting from the field and 54.8% from the 3-point line. Hayes has been a consistent 40% shooter from beyond the arc and is averaging just over 11 points per game.
Before Tuesday, Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase had emphasized that every game from now on is a must win. But following the loss to Phoenix, she changed her tone to making sure she balances rest and recovery for the remainder of the season.
“You know my motto, right? If they’re not 100% and they don’t feel right, it’s not time to play,” Nakase said. “I am not risking another player right now. Unfortunately Illy (Iliana Rupert) is down, which obviously we missed. But look how everyone stepped up today. So my focus is, let’s just give credit to everyone that stepped up. We were an eight-woman strong team, and I thought they fought their tails off tonight.”
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) dribbles against Phoenix’s Monique Akoa Makani (8) in the third quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, May 19, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
The Valkyries’ schedule doesn’t get any easier.
Golden State’s final slate of games will include the Mercury, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm and Minnesota Lynx twice.
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“We’re going to try to win every game possible to make the playoffs,” Nakase said. “We gotta make the playoffs.”