The Golden State Valkyries captured the WNBA championship on Saturday, defeating the Atlanta Dream in a decisive Game 7 before a sellout crowd of 18,064 fans at Ballhala. Founded just two seasons ago as an expansion franchise, the team reached a 1 billion dollar valuation a few months ago, according to US media reports. Game 7 drew over 3.3 million television viewers, setting a viewership record for the 30-year history of the league.
Guiding the team’s physical preparation and medical oversight is Spanish performance director Lorena Torres. Working alongside Natalie Nakase, Torres shaped a strategy focused on squad depth and minute management to handle the expansion draft constraints and outlast traditional roster builds.
Building a Roster From Scratch Without Superstars
Expansion rules limit newly formed teams from acquiring established superstar trios, forcing the Valkyries to construct their roster using available players. Torres noted that the front office chose to lean into a collective style rather than chasing individual star power.
“As an expansion team, you don’t have access to superstars because the system is what it is,” Torres said in an interview with EFE. “Teams try to have a ‘Big 3’ and we had to think of another strategy. We designed a roster where we had a bench, and that has allowed us all season to manage the playing minutes of the players.”
That depth proved essential all season. French player Janelle Salaün earned the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award, providing 12.7 points off the bench.
Data-Driven Recovery and Minutes Management
As head of performance and the medical department, Torres controlled training loads, recovery protocols, and practice durations. Her methods drew praise from Finals MVP Gabby Williams, who scored 28 of her points in the second half of Game 7 against Atlanta.
“They solve every detail so that the only thing you have to worry about is playing basketball,” Williams said of the franchise’s support staff. Williams later thanked Torres for the minute management structure that kept her fresh through the postseason.
Torres previously worked with the Spanish men’s national basketball team as well as NBA franchises including the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers.
Questions Surrounding the Title Defense
With the championship secured in just their second year of existence, the Valkyries face new conditions as they prepare for the following season. It remains unconfirmed whether the front office will alter its roster philosophy to pursue marquee free agents or maintain the European-style collective depth that defined their championship run.
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