The Golden State Valkyries became the first WNBA expansion franchise to finish above .500 and also make the playoffs in 2025.
That not only increased expectations around the league, but in their own locker room, as well.
Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton each scored 25 points Tuesday as the Valkyries snapped a two-game skid with an 87-81 victory against visiting Phoenix in WNBA Commissioner’s Cup play.
Golden State (7-5 overall, 2-2 Commissioner’s Cup) will look to build on that when it plays Friday at Seattle (3-11, 0-5).
“We would have preferred for it to not be that close and to be able to sustain our lead,” said Williams, a key offseason acquisition after playing the previous four years in Seattle. “But obviously we’ve lost a couple close ones, so I think just being able to figure it out even when things go wrong, even when they hit tough shots. Like, just staying together. I thought our composure took a really big leap.”
The Valkyries got back to playing solid defense after a five-game stretch in which they were the worst in the league.
Coach Natalie Nakase took the blame for that.
“What I learned through the first quarter of the season is I can’t just throw all these game plans and expect them to pick it up like that,” said Nakase, referencing newcomers Williams and Kiah Stokes. “So that was on me with my high expectations.”
This will be the second meeting between Golden State and Seattle this season. The Valkyries won 91-80 May 8 in the season opener on the Storm’s home court as Janelle Salaun scored 20 points and tied a career-high with five 3-pointers,
The Storm have lost seven in a row and remain winless against both Western Conference opponents (0-6) and in the Commissioner’s Cup.
They lost 88-83 to visiting Los Angeles on Wednesday despite holding a nine-point lead late in the third quarter.
“Just defending without fouling and being able to keep our opponents off the glass better,” first-year Storm coach Sonia Raman said about her team’s defensive miscues. “There’s some good rotations. There’s some good initial parts of our defensive possessions, but I think those two are the areas that we really need to shore up.”
Dominique Malonga, who recently returned after missing eight games with a concussion, leads Seattle with 14.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
–Field Level Media
