SAN FRANCISCO — It wasn’t pretty, but the Valkyries got it done.
Despite shooting 31.9% from the field and 18.9% from the three-point line, Golden State hit every big shot down the stretch to beat the Washington Mystics 76-74 and notch its first win in franchise history.
“This is our first game where we kind of hit some adversity,” forward Kayla Thornton said. “Our shots weren’t hitting, but we just stuck with it. I’m just so proud of our team because we could have just folded. And there could have been excuses because we were a young team, we don’t know the system. But we just pushed through, and everybody contributed to this win tonight.”
Fourth-year guard Veronica Burton had her best game of her career as she scored a career-high 22 points to go along with nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.
“I was grateful to see the ball go through the net,” Burton said.
Golden State Valkyries' Kayla Thornton (5) and Golden State Valkyries' Veronica Burton (22) celebrate after Thornton scored a three point basket as Washington Mystics' Kiki Iriafen (44) looks on in the fourth quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)Here are five takeaways from Wednesday’s win:
Defense leads the way
Golden State won Wednesday’s game on the defensive end.
The Valkyries missed their first 17 3-point attempts and couldn’t find any consistency at the rim, but kept the game within striking distance throughout the second half.
Golden State forced 17 turnovers, which resulted in 17 points.
Though Washington guard Brittney Sykes had a game-high 30 points, the Valkyries didn’t allow any other player to score more than 10.
Golden State Valkyries' Kayla Thornton (5) blocks a pass intended to Washington Mystics' Sonia Citron (22) n the second quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)Tiffany Hayes update
Starting shooting guard Tiffany Hayes was knocked out of Wednesday’s game after she suffered a nose injury late in the second quarter.
She took a hard fall when she collided with Washington forward Shakira Austin in the post. Hayes was down on the floor for a few minutes, but was eventually helped back to the locker room. With an icepack and towel over her face, she gave a thumbs up to the crowd as she walked through the home tunnel.
“She’s doing good, I think we’re just gonna wait to see you know how she feels,” Valkyries coach Nakase said. “But I walked to the locker room, and she was the first one to open her arms and give me a big hug.”
Golden State Valkyries' Tiffany Hayes (15) gives the thumbs up as she leaves the game after she was fouled by Washington Mystics in the second quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Golden State Valkyries' Tiffany Hayes (15) ends up on the floor in pain after she was fouled by Washington Mystics as her teammtes ask for help in the second quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)French forward shines in debut
Janelle Salaün arrived in the Bay Area for the first time last Friday and made her WNBA debut as the Valkyries’ starting small forward against the Mystics.
She didn’t disappoint.
Salaün scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds and put pressure on the rim all game to open up shots for herself and her teammates.
“Just having another person who can handle the pick and roll just gives them a lot more freedom,” Nakase said. “Trying to get to the paint is hard. … It takes pressure off other players.”
Golden State Valkyries' Janelle Salaun (13) makes a shot against the Washington Mystics' Sonia Citron (22) in the first quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)Valkyries own the offensive glass
The Valkyries are carving out their identity as a scrappy rebounding team.
While they lost the overall rebounding battle, Golden State had four more offensive rebounds than the Mystics. Burton had a game-high four offensive boards in the win.
Golden State’s biggest play of the game came when center Temi Fagbenle grabbed an offensive rebound and found Burton for a dagger 3-pointer that pushed the Valkyries’ lead to seven with under a minute remaining in the game.
“We’re just trying to intentionally crash. Not just crash to crash, but we’re trying to get more possessions,” Nakase said. “So Veronica, she grabbed four, so that’s four extra possessions. So that’s huge, considering she’s not one of the tallest people on the floor.”
Golden State Valkyries' Kayla Thornton (5) is fouled by Washington Mystics' Kiki Iriafen (44) on a rebound in the third quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)Another sellout crowd
For the second straight game, the Valkyries had a sellout crowd of 18,064.
The energy at Chase Center was evident for all four quarters. “Let’s go Valkyries” chants rang throughout the crowd as Golden State inched closer to a win.
The Mystics took notice.
“It’s something we’re going to get used to, and we’re going to play in front of 16,000, 17,000, 20,000 people crowd on any given night,” Washington forward Jade Melbourne said. “It’s exciting, and it’s the direction of women’s basketball that we’ve all wanted to embrace.
“It sucks when you’re on the road, but it’s an awesome atmosphere, and it’s great and it’s fun to play in front of.”
Golden State Valkyries owner Joe Lacob walks off the floor as he celebrates with fans after their Valkyries win against the Washington Mystics at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Golden State Warriors’ Brandin Podziemski exchanges words with Washington Mystics' Brittney Sykes (20) during the fourth quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Former Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole, second from left, attends the Golden State Valkyries game against the Washington Mystics at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group) Read More Details
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