OAKLAND — Monique Billings said it all without saying a word.

Inside the Valkyries’ practice facility Thursday afternoon, Kaitlyn Chen was asked to evaluate her rookie season in the WNBA. She glanced at the veteran sitting to her left and said, “I can’t believe it’s over.”

Billings’ eyes welled up with emotion as she mouthed two words back to Chen: “I know.”

Less than 24 hours after the Valkyries let a 17-point lead slip away in a 75-74 loss to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, the expansion team was still processing the end to its inaugural season. On the one hand, they shocked the league with their unprecedented and unexpected run to the postseason. On the other, the franchise has far loftier goals than a first-round exit.

Addressing the team after the loss, coach Natalie Nakase attempt

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