The Golden State Valkyries hit the All-Star break with a record that tells only half the story: 10–12.
It’s a number that screams expansion team growing pains. But look deeper, and you’ll find another number that explains why the first half of this historic season has been so chaotic: 19.
That’s the number of transactions this team has cycled through in just 22 games. New faces. EuroBasket departures. Emergency signings. Midseason returns. Change has been the only constant in Ballhalla so far.
But now? The dust is settling. And the second half of the season is shaping up to be a hunt for history.
🔄 From Flux to Focus
The EuroBasket shuffle is over. Roster pieces are finally in place. And the biggest addition yet?
Iliana Rupert.
Transaction No. 19.
A 6’4” French floor-stretching center with championship DNA.
Rupert was drafted by Las Vegas in 2021, won a title with the Aces in 2022, and logged another season in Atlanta. Now she arrives in the Bay — fresh off EuroBasket battles alongside Janelle Salaün — ready to anchor Golden State’s interior and open the floor with her three-point touch.
She averaged 8.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG in France’s run, but more importantly, she brings experience and stability. Something this young squad desperately needs.
🛡️ The Mission: Playoffs
Let’s be real — nobody outside the Bay thought this expansion team would sniff the postseason. But with 22 games left, the Valkyries are just one game out of the No. 8 seed, sitting in 9th.
The road won’t be easy:
- A brutal five-game road trip looms after the next home game.
- Dallas, Las Vegas, and Washington are all in the mix for that last playoff spot.
But here’s the opportunity:
- Only 9 of the last 22 games are against teams with winning records.
- There are winnable clusters: three games against Dallas and Washington, plus two each vs Chicago and Connecticut.
This stretch? It’s where expansion dreams turn into legends.
🏹 What’s at Stake
No WNBA expansion team has ever made the playoffs in Year 1.
Golden State could be the first.
The climb is steep, but Ballhalla doesn’t shy away from battles. With Rupert’s arrival, a rested Kayla Thornton, and a schedule full of redemption shots, the Valkyries are heading into the second half sharper, deeper, and hungrier.
🗓️ What’s Next
📍 Friday Night: Valkyries vs Dallas Wings at Chase Center.
- Rupert debut.
- A must-win tone-setter before the road gauntlet.
From chaos comes clarity. From 10–12 comes the real story.
The back half of this season? It’s about the hunt.
Ballhalla believes.
