The Golden State Valkyries fell 78-72 in their home finale against the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday night at Chase Center.
Four Valkyries scored in double figures, with Janelle Salaün, Iliana Rupert and Kaila Charles scoring a team-high-tying 15 points. Natisha Hiedeman scored a season-high 24 points off the bench for Minnesota, and Jessica Shepard recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 assists.
Highlights: Golden State Valkyries vs. Minnesota Lynx | 9/6/25
SEEDINGS WATCH
The Valkyries remain in sixth place in the WNBA standings, trailing the New York Liberty by two games for the fifth seed, and leading the Indiana Fever by one game for the seventh seed. >> Full Playoff Picture
THIRD QUARTER SWING
Golden State outscored Minnesota in three of the four quarters on Saturday night, but it was the third quarter where Minnesota pulled ahead. The Lynx outscored the Valkyries 30-16 in the third frame, shooting 64.7 percent in the quarter. Natisha Hiedeman scored nine of her game-high 24 points in the quarter.
BALANCED SCORING EFFORT
Four Valkyries starters scored in double figures in the game. The Valkyries starters scored 65 of their 72 points in the matchup, with Janelle Salaün, Iliana Rupert and Kaila Charles recording a team-high-tying 15 points. Salaün and Charles also recorded a team-high-tying eight rebounds, while Iliana Rupert made three 3-pointers in the game.
"I think just playing my game," Charles said of her performance. "My teammates were finding me. I wasn't necessarily settling and trying to get to the rim and finish. But yeah, my teammates were finding me, they gave me the confidence to just kind of keep shooting even when they were going in and out in the second half. It was just my teammates helping me out.”
Veronica Burton added 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting and recorded a team-high six assists. With one three pointer made in the game, Burton sits at 99 career makes for her career.
Highlights: Kaila Charles Records 15 Points vs. Minnesota Lynx
UP NEXT
The Valkyries close out the regular season with two road games, traveling to Seattle to meet the Storm on Tuesday night (7 p.m.; KPIX+). The Valkyries will then play their regular season finale on Thursday night in Minnesota (5 p.m.; KPIX, KMAX) before the 2025 playoffs.
By the Numbers
- The Valkyries have set the all-time WNBA attendance record for average attendance (18,064) and total fans (397,408) during their inaugural regular season
- Golden State recorded its 22nd sellout of the year with 18,064 fans, and wrapped up the regular season with a sellout in all 22 home games this season.
- Kaila Charles scored 15 points on seven-made field goals, which tied a career high, and added eight rebounds.
- Janelle Salaün also scored 15 points and had eight rebounds. Salaün went 3-8 (37.5 percent) from three-point range.
- Iliana Rupert was a perfect 4-4 from the line and added 15 points and six rebounds.
- Veronica Burton had a team-high six assists and 14 points on 50.0 percent (5-10) shooting.
- Kate Martin added six rebounds off the bench.
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