The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Toronto Tempo 96-79, securing the win after a high scoring fourth quarter on Sunday night at Chase Center. Four Valkyries reached double-figures, led by Janelle Salaün with 24 points and four three-pointers, followed by Veronica Burton putting up 17 points and three triples.
Highlights: Golden State Valkyries 96 - Toronto Tempo 79 | 8/2/26
SALAÜN DOMINATES OFFENSIVELY
In her first appearance since she set the WNBA record for most three-pointers made by a reserve in a season with her 69th triple on July 29th against the Mercury, Salaün continues to shoot the lights out from deep. In Sunday's matchup against Toronto she drained four three-pointers, marking the seventh time this season she has made four or more from beyond the arc.
Salaün was just two points away from her career-high of 26 points, set in the Valkyries most recent match up against the Tempo on July 8. She ended the game with a team-high of 24 points, shooting 9-for-15 from the field.
Janelle Salaün Scores 24 Points vs. Toronto Tempo - 8/2/26
FIRST QUARTER SHARP SHOOTING
Golden State had five triples from five different players (Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, and Kaila Charles) all within the last five minutes of the first frame. As a team, they shot 5-for-8 from three, for an effective 62.5 percent in the quarter.
BACK AND FORTH BATTLE
The Valkyries gained some momentum in the second quarter off of Salaün knocking down her first three pointer to begin the 12-2 run that gave them their largest advantage of the half (13 points). Every bucket, in that span was a triple, with Burton and Williams adding a pair and Salaün capping off the run with a second long ball to make it 39-26.
After exchanging baskets, Toronto responded by scoring nine unanswered points in the final two minutes to cut the deficit to one going into halftime.
ZANDALASINI RECORDS CAREER-HIGH IN ASSISTS
Cecilia Zandalasini was a key playmaker against the Tempo, as she recorded a new career-high of five assists. Her previously high was four, set last season on July 25, 2025 in a win against the Dallas Wings. She ended Sunday's game with seven points on 2-for-5 shooting and a pair of free throws.
HAYES BECOMES 28TH ON WNBA ALL-TIME SCORING LIST
Tiffany Hayes passed Hall of Famer Swin Cash (5,119) for 28th on the WNBA's all-time scoring list after making a pair of free throws from a tough take for her 5,120 career points.
Hayes finished the game with 15 points and four assists in 20 minutes played off the bench.
Janelle Salaün and Kiah Stokes Postgame Press Conference | 8/2/26
Natalie Nakase Postgame Press Conference | 8/2/26
UP NEXT
The Valkyries continue their short home stand at Chase Center in the second of back-to-back matches against the Toronto Tempo on Tuesday, August 4 (7 p.m. PT; KPIX (Bay Area), KOVR (Sacramento)).
BY THE NUMBERS
- The Valkyries drew their 37th regular-season sellout and 38th consecutive sellout on Sunday night.
- The game was played on the Chase Freedom Custom Court, the first-ever Valkyries’ custom court and the only one dropped in the WNBA this season thus far. For every Valkyries shot made on August 2nd and 4th, Chase Freedom will donate $1,000 to the Golden State Community Foundation to support youth development and education across the Bay Area. Sunday’s game generated a $49,000 donation after 33 field goals and 16 free throws were made.
- Kiah Stokes was a career-best +30 on the night, posting eight points, 11 rebounds and five blocks with zero turnovers.
- Tiffany Hayes scored 15 points, passing Hall of Famer and former teammate Swin Cash (5,119) for 28th on the all-time scoring list, and now has 5,128 career points. Hayes also added four assists and a game-high three steals.
- Veronica Burton scored 17 points and added six assists with just one turnover. Burton shot 3-4 (75.0 percent) from deep and 6-10 (60.0 percent) from the field.
- The Valkyries hit 10 3-pointers in the first half, two shy of their all-time record and three shy of the WNBA record.
- Golden State set a franchise record with 26 assists. Burton led the effort with six, while Zandalasini added five, and Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen tallied four.
- The win is Golden State’s 20th of the season. The Valkyries are one of three teams (Minnesota - 25, Las Vegas - 20) in the W this season with 20 or more victories on the year.
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