The NBA calls itself a league of innovation, but when it comes to the WNBA, progress always seems optional. This year’s All-Star Weekend in the Bay Area should have been a milestone—a chance to introduce the Golden State Valkyries to the league’s biggest stage. Instead, it became another missed opportunity, a glaring reminder that when the moment comes to truly elevate women’s basketball, the NBA falls short.

According to a recent episode of the podcast Locked On Women’s Basketball, Hall of Fame journalist Michelle Smith highlighted the logistical nightmare that Valkyries players and WNBA representatives faced during the weekend. “You couldn’t get there and you couldn’t get back,” she said. “Tiffany Hayes ended up in the car an hour and a half to go three miles because the Valkyries sent her out to do like a community appearance. And when they were trying to get her back in time for the All-Star Weekend festivities, she rolled in right before the dunk contest, which we know is the last event of the night.”

Smith further criticized the event’s organization, pointing out that the Valkyries and WNBA were relegated to a venue far removed from the main action. “It was just a mess in multiple ways, I think, for the Valkyries and the W,” she continued. “Putting that two-by-two tournament way over at City Hall where nobody can get to when you’ve got W players in the mix… putting the W and the Valkyries a little closer to the center of gravity at Chase or even at Oracle would have been great. And neither one of those things really happened.”

The Valkyries unveiled their Chase Center locker room on Friday, coinciding with the opening of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities at the very same venue. Yet, despite their presence, the fanfare surrounding the team felt more like an afterthought than a celebration. This starkly contrasted with last year’s All-Star Weekend, where Sabrina Ionescu’s three-point shootout against Stephen Curry became a viral sensation.

But rather than building on that momentum, the NBA let the opportunity slip away. Commissioner Adam Silver defended the league’s decision not to reprise the event, stating, “We didn’t want to force something that couldn’t recapture the feeling from last year.” What he didn’t acknowledge, however, was that the NBA reportedly failed to reach an agreement with WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, who would have been the ideal candidate for a rematch.

Instead of an integrated event, WNBA players were left to navigate a disjointed weekend. Some, like Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton, and LA Sparx forward, Rickea Jackson participated in the Celebrity Game—a contest more known for YouTubers and musicians than professional athletes. Others, including Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, and Monique Billings, spent time familiarizing themselves with the Bay Area.

A weekend of what-ifs: Valkyries get a glimpse of their future, but not the spotlight

Despite the lack of involvement, Hayes took an optimistic approach. “I think we’re doing a good job with our All-Star as well. I don’t think we should always only keep it in-house or anything, but it’s fun when we do our own thing, too. I think saving our special things for our All-Star is nice. We love the guys and love to come watch them and have fun.”

It wasn’t always like this. From 2004 to 2015, the NBA featured the Shooting Stars Competition, where WNBA players teamed up with NBA stars and legends for a three-person contest. The likes of Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins-Smith once took center stage alongside their male counterparts. Now, the WNBA’s involvement has been reduced to sporadic appearances and second-tier events.

For the Valkyries players, this weekend was supposed to be a preview of their new home. Many, including Hayes and Martin, won’t officially relocate to the Bay Area until training camp begins in April. Even so, the significance of stepping onto Chase Center’s court wasn’t lost on them.

“I’m just in awe that the fans we see here tonight, they might end up (Valkyries) fans here again,” Hayes said. “They could be cheering for us here soon like they’re cheering for (NBA All-Stars). Being able to come and see that has been amazing.”

While the Valkyries will soon take over Chase Center as their own, the NBA had a golden opportunity to integrate them into the All-Star Weekend in a meaningful way. Instead, they were left watching from the sidelines. The question now is whether the NBA will continue to treat the WNBA as an afterthought—or finally start giving women’s basketball the platform it deserves.