The WNBA has expanded, regressed in its initial years, but it was largely steady for more than a decade. The league leaped in 2025, adding its first expansion team since the Dream in 2008, and it has been a resounding success. The team’s performance went beyond anyone’s expectations as they became the first expansion team to qualify for the playoffs, and their leader on the court, Veronica Burton, has received a major honour.

While it has been mostly positive for the Valkyries, their fairytale journey was dealt a reality check by the No.1 seed  Minnesota Lynx. Despite dominating for the majority of the first quarter, the Lynx showed why they finished at the top. They fought back in the second quarter and finished the first half leading 47-40. From there, the Lynx took control and stormed to their biggest postseason victory, a commanding 101-72 win. While the Valkyries fans reel from that loss, they get a reason to celebrate. 

Valkyries star Veronica Burton has been heralded as the Most Improved Player Of The Year. Burton dominated the ballot with 68 of 72 votes from a national media panel, while Azura Stevens claimed second with two, and Allisha Gray and Natisha Hiedeman shared third with one apiece. Burton will receive $5,150 and a trophy.

The Valks fans were quick to congratulate their shining diamond.

Valks Fans Flood Veronica Burton With Cheers After MIP Award

The Valkyries are quickly emerging as the team with the biggest fanbase. With the Chase Center being sold out for every game and the team being the most valued in women’s sports. The popularity is resounding despite being the new team on the block, and the Bay Area is embracing women’s basketball as a whole. 

“Yeah!!! So deserved!!!! Love watching you play!” wrote a fan. It was not a surprise as Burton averaged career highs in scoring (11.9 points), assists (6.0 assists), rebounds (4.4 rebounds), steals (1.1 steals), and field-goal percentage (38.7%). Burton was a complete bench player in Connecticut last year when she averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 assists in 12.7 minutes per game. Burton has taken the opportunity with the expansion of Valkyries under Natalie Nakase.

She became the first player in history to increase her averages by at least five points, two rebounds, and two assists per game from one season to the next, according to the WNBA. All that while leading the Valkyries to the playoffs. Like another fan wrote, “She is one of the main reasons why the Valkyries have come this far.” The Valkyries’ rise was in doubt after they lost Kayla Thornton to a season-ending knee injury in July. However, Burton took over and guided the injury-plagued Valkyries to a playoff berth. 

Fans continued to pour in their admiration for Burton’s breakout season, emphasizing her relentless work ethic that included sharpening her skills overseas in Australia during the offseason to elevate her game. “Well deserved. The improvement was unreal. GGs,” penned another supporter, capturing the awe at her transformation while tipping a hat to her standout performances that turned heads league-wide.

The Valkyries’ playoff success hinges on Veronica Burton. In their first postseason game, Burton finished with 14 points and 7 assists. While that was not enough, fans expect the team to get some momentum from this award win. “Congratulations to @veronicaab22 Now let use this as a motivation to win ours games, love this team 💜🙌” wrote a fan. Going past Lynx for even 1 game is an uphill task, but the Valkyries showed flashes of what they can be in the first quarter. If they find a way to stretch that performance over 40 minutes, the Valkyries can get a result at home. 

“Valks are going to be strong as long as they can keep their core, coach and management/ philosophy,”  wrote another fan. It was very likely that the Most Improved Player would come out of the Valkyries regardless of their playoff qualification. The team is made up of outstanding bench players from 2024, like Temi Fagnele had said, “We’re a team of sixth women.”Natalie Nakase is the favourite for the Coach of the Year, too. 

That is not just because of the results, but the culture and defensive identity Nakase has built in the new franchise. It is the foundation that has set the tone for success for the long term. Next year, they have a proper offseason to plan their trades and build an even better team with more star power. Veronica Burton will continue improving and being a vital piece of the puzzle as Valkyries build a contender.