Overview
- The Valkyries beat the first-place Minnesota Lynx on Monday for their first win over Minnesota this season and then routed the Connecticut Sun 89-64 on Wednesday, carrying momentum into the playoff push.
- Veronica Burton has emerged as the team's primary playmaker, running the offense, limiting turnovers, and delivering high-impact defense that coaches credit with changing Golden State's on-court profile.
- Golden State scored a franchise-record 54 bench points against Connecticut, a sign that reserves are providing real offensive lift and that the team's success rests on collective role play rather than a single star.
- The Valkyries have clinched a postseason berth and sit near the No. 2 seed, but coach Natalie Nakase confirmed that Gabby Williams, Janelle Salaun and Cecilia Zandalasini will leave for FIBA World Cup duty after the New York game and that Nakase will join Team USA’s staff.
- The short-term absences will remove roughly 63.5 minutes and 36 points per game from the rotation for one regular-season game, giving players like Juste Jocyte, Kaitlyn Chen and Ashten Prechtel an opportunity to step up and the team a chance to rehearse depth for the playoffs.