Overview

• Golden State improved to 20-18 and now leads Los Angeles by 2.5 games for the eighth seed after snapping a two-game home skid.
• Rookie Carla Leite returned from an ankle issue to post 19 points on 5-for-5 shooting with six assists in 19 minutes off the bench.
• Veronica Burton logged 15 points, five rebounds and five assists entirely in the first half as the Valkyries built a 29-point halftime lead and rested regulars late.
• Despite the absences of Cecilia Zandalasini (calf), Tiffany Hayes (knee/illness) and Monique Billings (ankle), Janelle Salaün scored 20 and Kaila Charles added 16 as five players reached double figures and the team shot a season-high 55%.
• Washington fell to 16-24 with a sixth straight loss as Golden State forced 15 turnovers for 19 points and held the Mystics to 23-of-64 shooting and just 22 first-half points; the Valkyries host Indiana on Sunday to continue the back-to-back.