The IX Sports: Basketball Insider with Michelle Smith, Oct. 21, 2026
Golden State Valkyries
Posted inThe IX Basketball
Valkyries have no answer for Angel Reese in Game 2 loss
Nakase: ‘[Reese’s] rebounding, her fight was at a high level tonight’
Posted inThe IX Basketball
What went wrong for Golden State’s offense in Game 2?
And how do the Valkyries fix it in Atlanta?
Posted inFeatures
Why Kaila Charles was Golden State’s key to winning Game 1
She scored seven points, had 10 rebounds and two blocks and probably was the most important player in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. That wasn’t Gabby Williams, who did score 16 points in the second quarter alone to keep the Valkyries in the game. But Kaila Charles, who played 30 minutes off the bench […]
Posted inFeatures
Depth disparity loomed large in the Atlanta Dream’s WNBA Finals Game 1 loss
Heading into the WNBA Finals, we knew a few things. We knew that the two teams were evenly matched and that defense — with six players making the WNBA All-Defense first and second teams — was going to be a driving force. We also knew that both teams like to dictate the flow of the […]
Posted inGolden State Valkyries
Veronica Burton’s constant composure drives Valkyries’ late-game poise
Valkyries point guard sets the tone for Golden State’s WNBA Championship run with leadership and defense
Posted inFeatures
The Atlanta Dream are cool, calm ahead of WNBA Finals
Naz Hillmon: “Everybody here is just really special. We’re bought in”
Posted inGolden State Valkyries
Good health has been more than good luck for the Valkyries
Nakase’s intentional approach to rest and depth gives Golden State a full roster heading into the WNBA Finals.
Posted inFeatures
Natalie Nakase’s ‘strength in numbers’ approach carries Valkyries to WNBA Finals
LAS VEGAS — A’ja Wilson had 21 points. Chelsea Gray had 17. And Jackie Young had 18, including the layup to send Game 3 into overtime. None of them would ever be considered expendable. Yet it was Kayla Thornton who scored 18 points for the Valkyries, who had been left unprotected in the expansion draft. […]
