Valkyries on the verge: Golden State can do something the WNBA has never seen

When the ball is tipped at Chase Center tonight, the Golden State Valkyries will be aiming for history in a season full of firsts.

The WNBA's first expansion franchise in 17 years, the Valkyries entered their debut campaign with modest to low expectations. Head coach Natalie Nakase aimed to instill a defense-first mentality, a collective identity and intensity that, just maybe, could take the WNBA by surprise.

Utilizing 19 players -- the second-highest total in the WNBA -- has come at something of a cost for the Valkyries. At times struggling for offensive fluidity, Golden State ranks last in the league in field-goal percentage and 11th in 3-point percentage. All-Star forward Kayla Thornton suffered a season-ending knee injury in July, stripping the Valkyries of their leading scorer.

MORE: Why the Golden State Valkyries picked Violet the raven as their mascot

But Golden State's rise has been fueled by its defense, which ranks first in the WNBA in points allowed per game and fifth in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions).

The Valkyries are first in opponents' field-goal percentage and fourth in the league in rebounding -- qualities that came to the forefront during Tuesday's 66-58 home win over the New York Liberty, in which the Liberty shot only 31.6 percent from the field and were outrebounded 35-29.

And when Thornton went down seven weeks ago, other Valkyries stepped up. Three Golden State players rank in the top 12 in 3-point field goal percentage this season. Guard Veronica Burton is a Most Improved Player candidate after setting new career-highs across the board.

So if the Valkyries (22-18) defeat the Dallas Wings (9-32) at home on Thursday night, Golden State will clinch a playoff spot -- an improbable feat that no expansion team ever has achieved in its debut season. The Valkyries are not just a good, fun story; they're a good team that has achieved far more than most expected.

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