The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest team, are navigating the challenges of their inaugural season. Following a hard-fought 72-59 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, head coach Natalie Nakase opened up about the emotional toll of cutting players due to the league’s strict roster limits.
With the Valkyries holding the eighth seed at 15-15, their push for a playoff spot remains intense. Nakase’s heartfelt plea resonates deeply, especially as the team grapples with a shorthanded roster, highlighting the difficulties of building a competitive squad in their debut season.
Golden State Valkyries Coach Nakase Pleas WNBA For Roster Expansion
The Saturday game was a homecoming for former Valkyries guard Julie Vanloo. The team waived her earlier this season, but the Sparks quickly picked her up. Nakase, visibly moved, celebrated Vanloo’s return to Chase Center.
“Just excited. Obviously, we’re super excited she got an opportunity quickly to land in LA. She deserves to be in this league,” she said (via X/@kenzofuku).
Asked Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase about Julie Vanloo’s homecoming and what she’s meant to the organization:
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) August 9, 2025
“Excited. Obviously we’re excited that she got an opportunity quickly in LA. She deserves to be in this league.”
Nakase once again emphasized expanding rosters. pic.twitter.com/1AEPdWUIuO
However, her bigger point hit hard. The WNBA’s 11-to-13-player roster cap forces tough cuts, and Nakase is begging for change to keep talented players like Vanloo in the game.
“Chloe [Bibby] got picked up by Indiana, Steph [Talbot] got picked up by New York, Mimi [Migna Touré] got picked up by Connecticut. Am I proud parent that a lot of my players from training camp landed a job? Hell yeah! I’ve said this almost every press conference really, we need more roster spots. These girls deserve roster spots,” Nakase added.
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Nakase’s heart is with her players, and it clearly shows up. The Valkyries have had to part ways with several contributors this season, including Chloe Bibby (now with Indiana), Steph Talbot (New York), and Mimi Migna Touré (Connecticut).
The WNBA has small rosters if we compare it to the NBA’s 15, meaning even productive players get cut. And this Nakase finds this reality“gut-wrenching” for a tight-knit sport like basketball.
The Valkyries’ expansion draft in December 2024 built a scrappy squad, but injuries and limited spots have forced tough calls. Vanloo, a fan favorite, averaged 5.2 points and 2.8 assists before her release, and her return as a Spark had Nakase come clean on the talent she had to let go.
Golden State Valkyries Having Hard Time With Injury-Hit Roster
Despite a fairly good season, the Valkyries are having trouble managing their roster amid injuries. Key players like center Iliana Rupert (ankle) and guard Kate Martin (hamstring) are out, stretching their depth.
Nakase’s squad still pulled off the Sparks win, led by Kayla Thornton’s 18 points, but the grind of a 40-game season shows why bigger rosters matter. As the playoff race heats up, the need for more spots that could change their fortune will keep aching.