Analysis: What worked and what didn’t from Valkyries’ first road trip

The Golden State Valkyries returned from their three-game road trip with just one win, but the expansion team showed they are much farther along than many believed them to be before the season started. 

The Valkyries notched an impressive win against the Los Angeles Sparks to open the road trip in a game that saw them lead by as much as 20 in the third quarter. 

Golden State then traveled to New York where it was blown out by the Liberty in the first of a two-game series on Tuesday. But two days later, the Valkyries hung in with the defending WNBA champions and lost a close game as they held the Eastern Conference’s top team to its lowest point total of the season. 

While the Valkyries have had their ups and downs offensively, their defense has been a bright spot through the first five games of the season. Golden State is fifth in rebounds per game (35.8) and fourth in steals per game (8.8). 

Though the Valkyries would have liked to come away with a winning record in their first road trip, Golden State can see progress is being made. 

“We’re building and we’re getting better,” rookie forward Janelle Salaün said after Thursday’s loss. “We are all competitive people and we’re not going to be satisfied after that. We’re going to get back to work and we have more games to come.”

Here’s what worked and what didn’t on the Valkyries’ first road trip:

Worked: Janelle Salaün 

The French rookie has already established herself as one of the Valkyries’ go-to options. 

Salaün has been a consistent three-level scorer and showed she can be lethal in iso situations. She’s averaging 12.3 points per game and is shooting 47.1% from the 3-point line on five attempts per game. 

In Thursday’s loss to the Liberty, Salaün recorded her first-career double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

For a player who is playing in the WNBA for the first time, Salaün hasn’t been scared of the moment. She has taken at least 11 shots in each of the four games she’s played while being guarded by the opposing team’s top defenders. 

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase credits her work in practice as the reason for her early success. 

“She’s so hungry for film and so hungry for just information and wanting to get better,” Nakase said. 

Didn’t work: Interior defense

While the Valkyries are one of the scappier defensive teams in the league, this road trip showed they are vulnerable in the paint. 

In Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Liberty, Golden State couldn’t stop New York’s frontcourt duo of Jonquel Jones (6-foot-6) and Breanna Stewart (6-4), who combined for 37 points. 

Starting center Temi Fágbénlé has been a steady offensive presence, but still leaves much to be desired as a rim protector. Aside from Fágbénlé, the Valkyries don’t have many options in the frontcourt when they play a team like New York that could score in the paint at will. 

Worked: Perimeter defense

On the flipside, Golden State’s perimeter defense was a strength during this road trip. 

Point guard Veronica Burton wreaked havoc on opposing guards such as Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum and New York’s Natasha Cloud, totaling 14 steals across three games. Burton is second in the league in steals per game with 2.4. 

Along with Burton, Julie Vanloo and Carla Leite showed they could be viable defensive options off the bench. While both players don’t have the athleticism Burton has, Leite and Vanloo are solid on their defensive rotations and don’t make too many mistakes that warrant them being off the floor. 

“When we follow the game plan defensively, we can beat anyone every night,” Nakase said. “Our goal is to be No. 1 in defense. I do think we can get there.” 

Didn’t work: Kate Martin

Kate Martin has not found a consistent rhythm since joining the Valkyries. 

Martin, the team’s most popular player after her college years alongside Caitlyn Clark at Iowa, was a healthy scratch on Thursday and logged just 10 minutes against Los Angeles. She scored a season-high 10 points against the Liberty on Tuesday, but played in mostly garbage time minutes in the second half.

It’s going to be a long road for Martin to crack the rotation in the next few games with Burton, Leite and Vanloo playing as well as they are. Forwards Stephanie Talbot and Cecilia Zandalasini have played solidly since returning from their injuries and are carving out roles as perimeter shooters. 

While she did not play on the road trip, Tiffany Hayes is expected to cut into the guard minutes when she returns from a nose injury, leaving Martin on the outside looking in. 

Martin is under contract with Golden State through 2027.