OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Fresh off a history-making playoff run in their inaugural season, the Golden State Valkyries are already gearing up for much more in Year 2. President Jess Smith said Tuesday that more than 90% of season-ticketholders have re-committed for the 2026 season — and that's some 10,000-plus fans. Golden State squandered a 17-point third-quarter lead. “And then you got to look up and you see everybody standing, 18,000 fans standing,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. Nakase was named WNBA Coach of the Year and AP Coach of the Year, while Veronica Burton earned the league’s most improved player award.