The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Connecticut Sun 89-64, dominating on both ends of the floor from start to finish. The Valkyries largest lead reached a high of 35 points in the fourth quarter. Valkyries second unit set a new franchise record for total bench points with 54. As a team, they recorded 10 blocks, and tied their season-high for rebounds in a game (42) and field goals made (34).
Highlights: Golden State Valkyries 89 - Connecticut Sun 64 | 8/26/26
DEFENSE LEADING TO OFFENSE
The Valkyries set the tone early in the first quarter by recording three blocks and scoring 10 points off four turnovers. Gabby Williams got the block party started with a big time stop halfway through the frame. Laeticia Amihere recorded a pair of blocks just one possession apart.
Golden State ended the first quarter with a 14 point advantage off a 17-4 scoring run. As a team, they held the Sun to 4-for-16 shooting from the field and 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.
SECOND QUARTER DOMINATION
The Valkyries didn't slow down in the second frame, gaining a 28 point advantage off a 19-2 scoring run. This falls just one short of the team's largest margin (29) going into a halftime which has been reached twice in franchise history.
RESERVE CONTRIBUTIONS
Never taking their foot off the pedal, the Valkyries reserves came through to set a new record for bench points as a franchise with 54 total.
The reserves and team were led by Janelle Salaün with 15 points and a team-leading four 3-pointers. Kaitlyn Chen and Kaila Charles also recorded double figures off the bench.
SERIES SWEEP
Wednesday night's matchup completed the season slate against the Sun with the Valkyries going 3-0. Their largest win came in their first meeting on May 25, when Golden State won by 27 points at Chase Center.
Natalie Nakase Postgame Press Conference | 8/26/26
Janelle Salaün and Kaila Charles Postgame Press Conference | 8/26/26
UP NEXT
The Valkyries will head to New York for the second matchup of their back-to-back on Thursday, August 27 (5 p.m. PT; KPIX (Bay Area), KOVR (Sacramento)).
The Valkyries are halfway through a four game road trip where they will head to Phoenix after their New York contest. They will return to Chase Center on Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m. when they take on the Fire again.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Golden State set a franchise record with 54 bench points.
- Janelle Salaün led the Valkyries in scoring with 15 points, shooting 5-8 (62.5 percent) from the field and 4-6 (66.7 percent) from three, also adding three rebounds and one assist.
- Kaila Charles added 14 points on 5-6 (83.3 percent) shooting while grabbing a team-high eight defensive rebounds.
- Veronica Burton finished with 12 points and a game-high seven assists, shooting 5-9 (55.6 percent) from the field while committing zero turnovers. It’s Burton’s seventh career game with 10+ points, 7+ assists, and zero turnovers.
- Kaitlyn Chen added 10 points on 4-6 shooting (66.7 percent), along with two assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
- Kiah Stokes recorded seven points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Ashtel Prechtel joined Stokes with three blocks and Laeticia Amihere added two.
- Nadia Fingall posted four points, two rebounds, and one assist.
- Golden State went into halftime up 28 points (55-27), the second-largest halftime lead in team history and largest this season.
- The Valkyries led by as many as 35 points in the contest (87-52), their largest lead held all season.
- Golden State shot 10-25 (40 percent) from three, holding Connecticut to 6-31 (19.4 percent) from beyond the arc.
- The Valkyries have held their opponents to 70 points or less in a league-leading 12 games this season,
- Valkyries finished with 24 assists, recording 10 blocks as a team.
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