Valkyries - The Golden Bay Times

Indianapolis, IN - Golden State had the kind of back-to-back test that tells a team plenty, even in defeat. The Valkyries fell 90-82 to the Indiana Fever, but not before making Indiana work for every bit of breathing room. After falling behind 7-0 and missing their first four shots, Golden State answered with a 7-0 burst and later controlled the second quarter with an 11-2 run, taking a 44-37 halftime lead. The problem was the third quarter, when Indiana flipped the game with a 29-17 surge behind Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. Clark returned from a one-game absence and finished with 22 points and nine assists, while Boston powered inside for 20 points and 16 rebounds. Mitchell added 19 points and went 11-for-11 at the free-throw line, helping Indiana close the door after Golden State cut a late 10-point deficit to four. Tiffany Hayes gave the Valkyries a needed lift with a season-high 19 points, Kaitlyn Chen added a career-high 18, and Veronica Burton scored 17. Golden State also forced 19 turnovers, but Indiana’s third-quarter punch proved too much to overcome.
Written By: Mauricio Segura / Game #5 / 3-2

Brooklyn, NY - The Golden State Valkyries gave the defending champions a long evening to solve and never offered them enough clues, rolling past the New York Liberty 87-70 behind a balanced attack and a defense that kept the game tilted their way. Gabby Williams led Golden State with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, while Kaila Charles added 13 points and seven rebounds, Janelle Salaün scored 12, Temi Fagbenle had 11, and Tiffany Hayes added 10 as the Valkyries put five players in double figures. Veronica Burton steered the offense with seven assists, and Laeticia Amihere grabbed eight rebounds, helping Golden State control the rhythm after building a 25-15 first-quarter lead. New York pulled within 27-25 in the second, but the Valkyries answered with a 7-0 burst and later clamped down in the third, holding the Liberty to 12 points while stretching the lead to 63-46. The Valkyries hit 13 3-pointers, committed only six turnovers, and turned New York’s 15 giveaways into separation. Satou Sabally made her Liberty debut with five points, but Golden State spoiled the moment and improved to 3-1 with authority.
Written By: Mauricio Segura / Game #4 / 3-1

San Francisco, CA - The Golden State Valkyries finally found a wall they could not shove aside, falling 69-63 to the Chicago Sky after a promising start turned into a second-half grind. Golden State led by as many as 12 points and looked ready to keep its unbeaten start rolling, but Chicago slowly pulled the game into the mud and made every possession feel like a wrestling match in sneakers. The Valkyries shot just 29% from the field and went 7-for-26 from three-point range, leaving too many good chances clanking away when the game tightened late. Gabby Williams kept Golden State alive with 18 points, while Veronica Burton added 16, including a tying three with 6:03 left. Kiah Stokes gave the Valkyries a defensive backbone with 7 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks, helping hold Kamilla Cardoso to 8 points. But Rickea Jackson answered with 18 points for Chicago, including a huge late three, while Skylar Diggins added 15. Jacy Sheldon’s late layup helped seal it, handing Golden State its first loss and a reminder that even a hot start can cool fast.
Written By: Mauricio Segura / Game #3 / 2-1

San Francisco, CA - Golden State looked like a team already enjoying its second act, beating Phoenix 95-79 behind a bench spark, a ruthless second-quarter swing, and the kind of defensive pressure that makes an opponent start checking over both shoulders. Janelle Salaün led the charge with 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, drilling 4 of 5 from deep and giving the Valkyries another early-season jolt. Gabby Williams and Kayla Thornton each added 19 points, with Thornton fueling the takeover as Golden State flipped an early 20-13 hole into control with a 33-8 run. The second quarter became the whole story, as the Valkyries outscored Phoenix 31-11 and shot 13-of-19 from the floor. Veronica Burton played traffic cop beautifully, finishing with 13 points, 12 assists, and zero turnovers, while Laeticia Amihere added 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. Golden State forced 17 turnovers, earned its first-ever win over Phoenix, and moved to 2-0 with a performance that felt less like a hot start and more like a warning.
Written By: Mauricio Segura / Game #2 / 2-0