October 5, 2026

Golden State Valkyries and the Power of Benchship

Just have a starting five that doesn't need to score, a bench that scores more than the starters do, and a defense nobody else in the league can touch. None of this requires the luck of a player getting the hot hand, which is what makes them so hard to beat.

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Points per 36 minutes for starters and bench players on every WNBA team. Golden State is the only team whose bench outscores its starters, 16.1 to 13.8.

Fans fill Chase Center for a Valkyries game.

The Valkyries are 0–3 against the Aces. Here's how we win this one.

A Game 1 win is within reach. Better finishes inside, fewer openings for the Aces’ shooters, and the same care with the ball would give the Valkyries a real shot.