Valkyries’ Three-Point Barrage Lifts Expansion Squad Past Sun, Clinch Seventh Place with Season Advancing
In a commanding performance Monday night, the Golden State Valkyries surged past the struggling Connecticut Sun with a convincing 74-57 victory, vaulting themselves into seventh place in the WNBA standings with 13 games remaining in their inaugural season.
Under the mantra of head coach Natalie Nakase to “let it fly,” the Valkyries connected on 13-of-33 three-point attempts, igniting their offense—especially in the second half, where long-range marksmanship truly took flight. Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes paced the scoring, each dropping in 17 points, while the defense generated momentum by forcing 14 turnovers from the Sun, who also missed 20 of 25 shots from beyond the arc.
Although Veronica Burton had a quiet night on the scoreboard with just three points, she filled up the stat sheet with a team-high 10 assists and six rebounds, anchoring the Valkyries’ fluid ball movement and defensive toughness.
Beyond the court, the night featured a notable moment of fanfare as Violet the Raven, the squad’s much-anticipated mascot, made her debut—evoking cheers and adding levity to the team’s playoff push.
This win injects fresh optimism into Golden State’s expansion-team narrative. With the victory, the Valkyries not only leapfrogged to seventh—claiming space ahead of Seattle and stretching a full game in front of the Los Angeles Sparks—they’re forging a path toward making history as the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season.
The victory also marks the Valkyries’ fifth win in seven games since losing All-Star Kayla Thornton for the season, showcasing resilience and adaptability despite losing a foundational piece.
Still, the road ahead remains treacherous. With 13 regular-season games to play, the Valkyries face a gauntlet of challengers, stretching from high-caliber foes to more winnable matchups—but every game now carries playoff-level significance. Their latest win, however, proves that despite the adversity, this fledgling franchise is building momentum—and perhaps something special.
