OAKLAND — Monique Billings mentioned all of it with out saying a phrase.
Contained in the Valkyries’ observe facility Thursday afternoon, Kaitlyn Chen was requested to judge her rookie season within the WNBA. She glanced on the veteran sitting to her left and mentioned, “I can’t believe it’s over.”
Billings’ eyes welled up with emotion as she mouthed two phrases again to Chen: “I know.”
Lower than 24 hours after the Valkyries let a 17-point lead slip away in a 75-74 loss to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, the growth crew was nonetheless processing the tip to its inaugural season. On the one hand, they shocked the league with their unprecedented and sudden run to the postseason. On the opposite, the franchise has far loftier objectives than a first-round exit.
Addressing the crew after the loss, coach Natalie Nakase tried to string the needle.
“That was one of the points in Natalie’s speech: We want to win a championship. That’s what this organization is trying to build, and this is just one step,” mentioned heart Iliana Rupert, who completed with eight factors in 32 minutes Wednesday. “I don’t know how many times. she said it, but she’s really proud of us. She told us that, even her, she didn’t really know what to expect and never would have believed we could accomplish so much. … It was a really beautiful moment. Some tears were shed.”
Compelled to maneuver their lone residence playoff recreation to the SAP Heart in San Jose due to a scheduling battle at Chase Heart, the unmatched ambiance of Balhalla migrated south with a sellout of 18,543 followers.
After they had been eradicated, the capability crowd gave the crew a standing ovation.
“It kind of felt like we won,” mentioned guard Tiffany Hayes, who didn’t play due to a knee damage.
“It was so loud in there, just from the jump,” added reserve guard Kate Martin. “From the tipoff to the final buzzer — and even after the final buzzer — it was so loud in there. It was the loudest I’ve ever heard it.”
Very like the keenness the upstart crew has generated from these followers this season, their outlook towards an unsure offseason was as constructive as could be. Nonetheless, they left for his or her offseason commitments with loads of questions.
“The W’s going to be different,” mentioned Cecilia Zandalasini, who had the ball in her palms with an opportunity to increase the Valkyries’ season however had her contested jumper clank off the rim because the buzzer sounded.
A roster that churned via 20 gamers will probably see extra turnover with some gamers set to turn into free brokers. The league will develop by two extra groups, which means two extra growth drafts and two extra entrance places of work making an attempt to copy the Valkyries’ immediate success as the one first-year franchise to make the postseason. There may be additionally the excellent query of a brand new collective bargaining settlement, which have to be ratified by the gamers and the house owners earlier than subsequent season can tip off.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Kaila Charles mentioned. “We’re expanding. The league is getting bigger. There’s room for more players. Hopefully we can come to an agreement soon and we’re able to start the season on time. … (I’m) just looking forward to finding a home and being on the team. Hopefully that’s here, but with the expansion draft, you never know.”
Charles is one in all 5 unrestricted free brokers on the Valkyries roster — together with Billings, Hayes, Kayla Thornton and Temi Fagbenle — all of whom expressed an identical want to return. There are solely two gamers who received’t be free brokers in some type: Kate Martin and Carla Leite.
“I would love to come back here next year,” Billings mentioned. Hayes echoed the sentiment, including her determination was “as simple as it’s going to get.” Fagbenle, a late scratch from Wednesday’s recreation, additionally mentioned she would “love to be back here next year.”
However, she added, “We’ll have to see.”
One factor is certain: the Valkyries have their coach, which is greater than could be mentioned for the crew this time final 12 months. Nakase’s rent wasn’t introduced till final October, and on Wednesday, she was introduced the WNBA Coach of the 12 months trophy earlier than tipoff.
“All we know is that the people who we have now are a great foundation to build upon,” Fagbenle mentioned. “Everyone can see that. So, how many of us can you keep together? That’s the question.”
Notable
— Thornton, whose season got here to an finish in July by a knee damage she suffered in observe, was not made obtainable. Nor had been Nakase or common supervisor Ohemaa Nyanin, who’re anticipated to handle reporters early subsequent week.
— Hayes was restricted to 26 video games and didn’t see the courtroom for the ultimate month of the season due to her personal knee damage. She mentioned it was “definitely frustrating” however taught her a lesson: “Taking care of yourself is very important. … You want to be there for the team, so you push, push, push. But I’m learning that it’s not always best to be that way.”
— Fagbenle mentioned it was “excruciating” to be pressured to look at the loss from the bench. She was dominated out in a game-time determination, “and, hey, it looked like the right choice for a long time in that game,” she mentioned. “Until the last quarter. Right? They did great without me.”
— For a lot of the roster, the offseason received’t supply a lot of an opportunity to relaxation. Hayes, Billings, Charles, Janelle Salaun, Laeticia Amihere, Zandalasini, Leite and Fagbenle all have plans to play abroad. Chen has dedicated to Athletes Limitless, the brand new league based mostly out of Nashville. Final offseason, Martin performed in one other upstart league, Unmatched, and was sporting the league’s merchandise in her exit interview, although she recognized another priorities: “Enjoy some family time, go home, go on vacation.”
Initially Revealed: September 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM PDT
