SAN FRANCISCO – Usually, when a team is missing three of their key rotation players who play a combined 66.9 minutes a game and account for 43.5% of their average point total per game, they tend to falter. But in concert with the story of the Golden State Valkyries, their strength-in-numbers identity and 1-through-12 depth continue to allow them to weather any storm, in any circumstance, as the Valkyries dispatched the Seattle Storm 70-57 in their final home game of the regular season.

And with the absence of All-Star Gabby Williams, Sixth Player of the Year favorite Janelle Salaün, and forward Cecilia Zandalasini, who have been out due to reconditioning from the FIBA World Cup, the end of Golden State's bench has taken full advantage of the opportunity presented by their absence.

“It actually worked out in our favor, because now we have game minutes, we have game film, we have live reps of what a physical game looks like,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said of the players who filled in for the FIBA players' absence, namely rookie Juste Jocyte, who collected 11 points on a perfect 3-of-3 from deep (her second straight game with three triples), and small-ball center Laeticia Amihere, who also added 11 points along with four rebounds and two blocks.

“We can't just implement that sometimes in practice or with our scout guys because it's not that we want to actually be that physical, you know, in practice. So, yeah, it worked out. Really excited that they were prepared for the moment. They took full advantage of the opportunity, and now it's good because you can see that confidence that they have.”

Jocyte and Amihere's play, along with others like Kaila Charles, who collected a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double and four steals, and Kaitlyn Chen, who is averaging 14.0 points on 50.0% shooting the last three games, puts into question how Golden State's playoff rotation will shake out with a week before Game 1 of the first round tips off.

Nakase did not verbally commit to any rotational details when asked how she plans to balance the rotation when the playoffs come, given that the Valkyries genuinely have 11 players they can use in a playoff series. But the reigning Coach of the Year did emphasize why she's happy with the strong performances Jocyte, Amihere, and others displayed over the last couple of games.

“It's good because you can see that confidence that they have,” Nakase said. “Us going into playoffs healthy and confident. I mean, it's kind of working its way into the right direction right now.”

Valkyries' energy heading into playoffs

The Golden State Valkyries celebrate after defeating the Seattle Storm at Chase Center.
Justine Willard-Imagn Images
Article Continues Below

With the Valkyries' second-ever playoff run less than a week away, they remain level-headed for what is expected to be a deep run given that they currently hold the second-best record in the WNBA.

“It's just about focusing and getting ready for that,” Charles said after the game. “We know we still have two more games before we start looking to the playoffs, and those are two games that we're going to use for preparation. But I think we're pretty calm. We have a lot of trust in ourselves and our system. It's just a matter of finishing strong and then locking in for the playoffs.”

But while the Valkyries have maintained a calm and focused approach as the regular season winds down, they seem motivated by a sense of purpose.

After Golden State's win over the Fire the previous night, Nakase looked everyone in the room dead in the eye and said, “We have the responsibility to play for Ballhalla, but we want to do this for Ballhalla, for everyone who comes to our games, but for everyone who's watching, even you guys. We want to win this for you guys.”

Nakase gestured at the reporters in the room, a rare thing for a coach to say outright: that they seek victory to honor the commitment of those covering the beat.

“You guys are committed to us, and we want to make a commitment back,” she continued. “And when you have that type of purpose, when it's beyond ourselves, I think that drives us even more every time.” 

The Valkyries have two games left before Game 1 of the first round tips off next Sunday. Golden State needs one more win to clinch the No. 2 seed in the WNBA Playoffs.