The Valkyries set a season-high with 53 bench points in their 97-70 victory over the Connecticut Sun at Chase Center on Monday. Gabby Williams (15), Kaila Charles (12) and Veronica Burton (11) all scored in double figures for the starting group and four reserves had at least nine points including Kaitlyn Chen (10), Tiffany Hayes (9), Janelle Salaün (9) and Laeticia Amihere (9). Golden State tied a WNBA record with 12 different players scoring.

"Our depth is going to be our strength," Gabby Williams said postgame. "Knowing that these players from one to 12 to 13 are going to have confidence throughout the whole season, that's going to be huge for us. I know it's only game six, but these minutes here are going to pay off in November.”

Golden State was dominant in Monday's victory, leading by as many as 34 points, more than doubling up Connecticut's 3-point total (13-6) and forcing more turnovers (18) than the Sun had assists (13). The Valkyries never trailed in the wire-to-wire win and have now outscored their opponent by a combined 44 points following their two losses.

WILLIAMS SETS EARLY TONE
Gabby Williams opened the game with a scoop layup and calmly walked into a left-wing 3-pointer to score five of the game’s first seven points, leading the Valkyries to a 7-0 start. Williams scored 10 of the Valkyries’ first 17 points on 4-for-6 shooting and made both of her 3-point attempts. Monday’s quick first-quarter start marked her first double-digit quarter of the season — she had two such quarters last season. Finishing with a team-high 15 points, Williams has led the Valkyries in scoring in half of her first six games with the team.

JOCYTĖ QUICK TO CONTRIBUTE IN DEBUT
Joining the team for the first time this past week and quickly trying to acclimate herself with the system, Justė Jocytė made her highly-anticipated Valkyries debut on Monday. Jocytė had to wait until the fourth quarter to get her opportunity, but once she checked in, she instantly found herself in the scoring column. Jocytė ran off a screen and calmly sank a baseline jumper on her first possession.

"She scored I think in five seconds," Head Coach Nataile Nakase said about Jocytė's quick impact. "I was like does she know the play?"

A few minutes later, she drilled a 3-pointer to cap a perfect night of five points on 2-for-2 shooting in five minutes. Jocytė was the franchise's first-ever draft pick, selected fifth overall in 2025 — she spent the entirety of last season playing overseas and has played professional basketball since she was 13 years old.

"This is just a glimpse of what she's capable of," Williams added about Jocytė's potential.

CHARLES A BEAST ON THE BOARDS
Kaila Charles has not only been the Valkyries’ best rebounder this season, but she has also established herself among the WNBA’s best rebounders. Charles recorded her fourth consecutive game with at least seven rebounds, tallying 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Her game was predicated on relentless hustle and extra effort plays, evident throughout her production in multiple facets. The 6’1 guard ranks 15th in the WNBA in rebounds per game (6.7 RPG), just behind reigning WNBA MVP and Co-Defensive Player of the Year, 6’4 center A’ja Wilson. 

UP NEXT
The Valkyries have three more games remaining on a four-game home stand, including marquee matchups against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Thursday and A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. 

MORE NOTABLES: