Golden State Valkyries two wins from WNBA title without All-WNBA players

The Golden State Valkyries, a WNBA team in their second year, are just two wins away from securing their first championship, the SF Standard reported. Despite their strong 32-12 regular season record and 7-3 playoff run, the team notably has no players who received first- or second-team All-WNBA honors.

This potential championship would mark a historic first in the league, as no WNBA team has ever won a title without having an All-WNBA player on the roster. The Valkyries’ success challenges the traditional expectation that elite individual star power is necessary for a championship team.

The team’s ascent into the WNBA Finals has been described as improbable and has unsettled some observers who are accustomed to a certain blueprint for championship teams. The Valkyries’ approach and roster composition differ from the norm established over the league’s 28 seasons prior to their arrival in 2025.

If the Valkyries win, it will redefine what a championship team looks like in the WNBA, showing that collective effort and team dynamics can overcome the absence of recognized individual stars.