For starters, Kate Martin, whom the team selected in the expansion draft from the Las Vegas Aces, brought the energy and passion that made her so popular as a rookie. The Valkyries also got a huge outing from third-year player Laeticia Amihere, who they claimed off waivers after the Atlanta Dream waived her.

The Valkyries rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit and tied the game two separate times in the second half, but fell just short in the end as Laeticia Amihere’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer cut the Los Angeles lead from four the clock hit zeroes.

The Golden State Valkyries couldn't have asked for a better WNBA debut.