SAN FRANCISCO ― Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün's WNBA's Sixth Player of the Year Award isn't completely wrapped up but she is the frontrunner.
Her contribution to one of the best teams in the league can't be missed.
Salaün could be a starter and, in fact, was last season — starting in 33 of 36 games as a rookie. But she flourishes as a volume shooter off the bench for the Valkyries, giving them more flexibility in their depth. She helped the Valkyries to their first playoff win in franchise history, 104-80, over the Dallas Wings on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Chase Center.
"She's very well known for her 3-point shooting, but just her competitiveness on both sides of the ball to be able to come off the bench and impact the game immediately,"
Valkyries teammate Veronica Burton told USA TODAY Sports, "time and time again, and we rely on her for a lot of clutch buckets.
"Her mindset, not shifting between being a starter coming off the bench, like her impact is there regardless. And we're going to look for her as though she's a first option offensively. That hasn't changed in any of our minds, but her ability to buy into that role and be so successful as it at it has been huge for us."
The freedom she's awarded with the second-unit has led to a career-high 12.7 points per game on 42.5% from the field and 39.2% from 3. She is among the top 10 in 3-pointers made per game, making 2.3 each contest. Salaün has scored a WNBA record 509 points off the bench, proving to be an elite weapon for the Valkyries.
Despite her individual accomplishments this season, she remained true to the Valkyries' team identity. And like any athlete, she holds herself to a higher standard.
"(We're having) more success, especially that we're in our second year," Salaün told USA TODAY Sports. "But individually, like I don't know, not really my expectation in terms of you know just everything. I can do way better. The last game wasn't my best one for sure, but I'm very happy for the team (and) the success that we have ... and that's most important."
The 25-year-old is in her second season with Golden State after having played in professionally in France and Italy. She represented France women's national basketball team during the 2026 FIBA World Cup, where she averaged 11.2 points. She was alongside her Valkyries teammate Gabby Williams as they faced the USA women's national team in the gold medal game.
Salaün and Williams finished as runner-ups, with their head coach Natalie Nakase on the other bench.
"Obviously the the result was not what we what we wanted, but I felt good and it's already behind me now," Salaün said. "I'm just focused on the playoffs."
The bench trio of Salaün, Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen has paced Golden State all year long, providing them a healthy balance between the first and second units. It's helped the Valkyries earn the second-best record in the WNBA at 31-11. Hayes was the main spark off the bench Sunday, with 21 points in Game 1.
Chen paces the offense for the Valkyries as their backup point guard. When she gets into the paint, good things happen. Chen averages 7.2 points and 1.9 assists on 52.7% field goal shooting. Hayes averages 9.0 points and 2.5 assists on 46% field goal shooting. She's one of the more vocal leaders and its showcased when she's on the floor providing a burst of energy with the second unit that resonates with the entire team.
"We're just ready," Salaün said. "We know what people are expecting from us. We just want (fight) and be on the court and give everything no matter what. I think we just have this really good connection and it just works for us."
As the quest for a WNBA title begins, there's one piece of hardwood that's practically claimed, wrapped with a bow and ribbon: the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year.
Other candidates include Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, Los Angeles Sparks center Cameron Brink and Las Vegas Aces veteran guard Jewell Lloyd. Cunningham puts up 8.2 points per game on 43% 3-point shooting. Brink averages 9.5 points, five rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Lloyd's averages are 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 35.4% field goal shooting.
Salaün has received praise for her game all season long. Burton provided all the reasons to consider her teammate for the award.
"She's dominant, she changes the game every single time," Burton said. "There's no one in this league that influences the game like she does, coming off the bench, and we go to her as literally one of our leading scorers. So you don't have that very often in this league."
Salaün was selected as the Associated Press Sixth Woman of the Year on Sunday. The WNBA Awards will be announced at a later date.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Janelle Salaün sacrificed a starting role. The Valkyries are reaping the rewards
