The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Phoenix Mercury 95-79 on Sunday night at Chase Center in the team’s home opener of the 2026 campaign.

Five Valkyries scored in double figures, led by Janelle Salaün’s 21 points. Gabby Williams and Kayla Thornton both added 19 points, while Veronica Burton recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 assists.

Laeticia Amihere filled the box score, tallying 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks, while finishing with a game-best plus-33 differential.

“We just knew we had to be prepared for what they were going to do and what they were going to throw at us,” Natalie Nakase said postgame. “You can never rest versus this team. This team has a lot of fight, but I was proud of our team for continuing to battle through all the punches that they threw.”

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SALAÜN’S ENCORE
After scoring a team-high 20 points in the regular season opener on Friday, Janelle Salaün once again showcased her offensive prowess, recording a game-high 21 points.

Salaün shot an incredibly efficient 7-for-10 from the field, including a 4-for-5 from 3-point range.

“I’m just trying to bring energy whenever I’m coming on the court and you know,” Janelle Salaün said postgame. “Also, my teammates are doing a great job finding me.”

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SECOND QUARTER RUN
After trailing 20-13 early, the Valkyries went on a 33-8 run to turn a seven-point deficit into a 12-point advantage.

The Valkyries opened the second frame on fire, making 12 of their first 14 field goals in the quarter, led by Kayla Thornton’s 12 points during the run.

“We’re playing Valkyries ball,” Kayla Thornton said postgame. “We were all locked in on defense, we were taking away what they wanted to do. It didn’t always look right, but we stayed together. I think when we stay together and we’re on the same record we’re on the same string, everything just flows and then it just flows to our offense, which is beautiful.”

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BURTON’S DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Veronica Burton recorded her sixth career double-double on Sunday, dishing out 12 assists to go along with 13 points.

NEW STARTING LINEUP
After Tiffany Hayes injured her finger in Friday’s opener, Kaila Charles entered the starting lineup against Phoenix.

Charles followed up the start by scoring the first Valkyries bucket in Ballhalla for the 2026 season, hitting a catch-and-shoot corner three.

Charles recorded seven points and four rebounds in 33 minutes of action.

SOLD OUT IN BALLHALLA
After setting the all-time WNBA attendance record for average attendance (18,064) and total fans (397,408) during their inaugural regular season, selling out all 22 regular-season home games at Chase Center in 2025, the Valkyries once again packed out Ballhalla with a sellout crowd on Sunday night.

FIRST WIN AGAINST MERCURY
After losing all four matchups in the 2025 season, the Valkyries got their first ever win over the Mercury on Sunday, as the Valks open the season 2-0.

UP NEXT
The Valkyries host the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, May 13 (7 p.m.; KPIX+ (Bay Area) KMAX (Sacramento)) at Chase Center before heading east for a two-game road trip against the New York Liberty and Indiana Fever.

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By the Numbers

The Valkyries posted their 23rd consecutive regular-season sellout with 18,064. Golden State has sold out every regular season game in team history.
Janelle Salaün had a game-high 21 points, her second-straight game with 20+ points, shooting 7-10 (70.0 percent) from the field and 4-5 (80.0 percent) from three.
Veronica Burton recorded her sixth career double-double with 13 points and 12 assists. Burton also had no turnovers, her fourth career game with double-digit assists and zero turnovers. The guard went a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line, the 11th time in her career she’s gone perfect from the line (min. five attempts.)
Laeticia Amihere had a career high five assists with 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 24 minutes. Amihere was a game-best, and career high, +33 on the night.
Gabby Williams had 19 points, and eclipsed the 1,600-point plateau for her career with a three pointer in the second quarter. Williams also had four steals to reach 301 in her career.
Kayla Thornton posted 19 points on 57.1 percent (8-14) shooting.
Golden State outscored Phoenix 31-11 in the second quarter, shooting 68.4 percent (13-19) from the floor, and were led by Kayla Thornton’s 14 points.
The Valkyries forced 17 turnovers, including six from Alyssa Thomas.
It’s Golden State’s first-ever win over the Mercury.

Golden State Valkyries Waive Ashten Prechtel