Takeaways: Valkyries obliterate Mystics to notch twentieth win of season

SAN FRANCISCO — After going 5 days of relaxation, the Valkyries regarded refreshed and replenished of their return to Chase Heart. 

Regardless of not having starters Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes, the Valkyries crushed the visiting Washington Mystics 99-62 in entrance of their 18th sellout crowd of 18,064. 

The growth workforce didn’t fiddle as they constructed a 29-point lead by halftime led by a monster first half from Veronica Burton and a stingy defensive exhibiting. 

The Valkyries led by as a lot as 37 within the second half and cruised to their twentieth win of the season. 

Burton completed Saturday’s recreation with 15 factors – all coming by way of the primary two quarters – 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Rookie level guard Carla Leite returned after lacking Sunday’s recreation towards the Dallas Wings with a proper ankle harm and scored 19 factors off the bench. Janelle Salaün led the Valkyries with 20 factors. 

5 totally different gamers scored in double figures for the Valkyries as Kaila Charles had 16 factors and Laeticia Amihere added 11.

Golden State held Washington’s dynamic rookie duo of Sonia Citron and Stanford alum Kiki Iriafen to a mixed 20 factors.  

Golden State will play its last 4 house video games this week and can host the Indiana Fever on Sunday. 

Protection steps up

The Valkyries got here into Saturday’s recreation with the sixth-best protection within the league, however Golden State was totally dominant in stopping Washington’s inside-out assault. 

The Mystics shot simply 35.9% from the sphere, and Golden State pressured 15 turnovers that led to 19 factors. 

The Valkyries used a double publish lineup consisting of defensive stalwart Temi Fágbénlé and stretch large Iliana Rupert to match Washington’s measurement. The lineup labored wonders because the Mystics had simply 20 factors within the paint. 

Balanced buckets

The Valkyries obtained scoring from a number of gamers. 

Burton managed the offense, however Charles discovered openings on the rim and on the perimeter. Salaün had an environment friendly evening as she hit a barrage of perimeter pictures, and Leite got here was a constant rim penetrator. 

Out of the ten gamers that checked into Saturday’s recreation, eight put some extent on the board.

Golden State shot 54.1% from the sphere as a workforce. 

Starters get a lot wanted relaxation

It’s no secret that the Valkyries have performed the final two weeks shorthanded. 

Zandalasini and Hayes are arguably the workforce’s prime scorers, however the growth workforce has discovered a technique to be simply as productive with out them on the ground. 

A lot of the Valkyries starters sat the whole thing of the fourth quarter, giving possibilities to gamers like Leite and second-year guard Kate Martin to get some a lot wanted time on the courtroom within the midst of this playoff run. 

Laeticia Amihere seems to have discovered her groove as an vitality wing that would present rim stress and scoring in numerous lineups. 

Initially Printed: August 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM PDT