An expansion team has never made the WNBA playoffs during its first season in the league.
The Golden State Valkyries are on the verge of making history, as they seek a spot in the 2025 WNBA playoff picture.
Take a look at the best seasons ever by a WNBA expansion team:
Best Records by WNBA Expansion Team
The Valkyries have already won more games in their inaugural season than any other expansion team in the history of the league.
Before this season, the Detroit Shock’s 17-13 campaign in 1998 marked the most wins by an expansion team in Year 1. The Minnesota Lynx and Orlando Miracle (now the Connecticut Sun) both went 15-17 when they joined the league in 1999.
The Miami Sol went 13-19 when they joined the league in 2000 before folding after their third season. The Portland Fire went 10-22 in their inaugural season in 2000. They also folded after three years, but are returning to the league in 2026.
| Year | Team | Record | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Detroit Shock | 17-13 | .567 |
| 1999 | Minnesota Lynx | 15-17 | .469 |
| 1999 | Orlando Miracle | 15-17 | .469 |
| 2000 | Miami Sol | 13-19 | .406 |
| 2000 | Portland Fire | 10-22 | .313 |
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