Washington, D.C. — The Golden State Valkyries may be the WNBA’s newest franchise, but they’re wasting no time making history — or headlines. On a steamy Wednesday night at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, the expansion team caught absolute fire from long range, holding off a furious Washington Mystics comeback to secure an 88–83 victory — their third straight win.
Veronica Burton’s Breakout Night
Veronica Burton was nothing short of sensational. The third-year guard exploded for a career-high 30 points, knocking down six three-pointers and finishing a near-perfect 10-of-13 from the field. But her game wasn’t just about scoring — Burton also logged seven rebounds and seven assists, orchestrating the Valkyries’ offense with veteran poise.
“She’s a gamer,” Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said after the game. “She sees the floor better than most, and when her shot’s falling like that, she’s almost impossible to stop.”
Zandalasini Heats Up
Burton wasn’t alone in her fireworks display. Italian sharpshooter Cecilia Zandalasini also connected on six triples and poured in 20 points, continuing her resurgence as one of the WNBA’s premier perimeter threats. Her early three-pointer just a minute into the game gave Golden State a lead they would never surrender.
Golden State finished the night with a franchise-record 15 made three-pointers, shooting an astounding 46.7% from deep — another all-time best for the fledgling squad.
Team Effort Secures The W
Veteran Tiffany Hayes chipped in 14 points, and forward Janelle Salaün added 11, helping the Valkyries (now 17–15) maintain their lead despite a massive fourth-quarter surge from the Mystics. Golden State built a 30–12 lead after the first quarter by hitting nine of their first 11 shots — a blistering start that ultimately gave them just enough breathing room.
Mystics’ Furious Rally Falls Short
To their credit, Washington refused to fold. Down by 19 entering the final period, the Mystics outscored Golden State 29–9 in the fourth, turning a blowout into a nail-biter. Rookie standout Sonia Citron lit the spark, scoring 13 of her 15 total points during the comeback. She converted a three-point play, knocked down a deep shot, and dished an assist to Sug Sutton for a late triple that cut the deficit to just three with under a minute to go.
But a pair of clutch free throws by Hayes with 15.4 seconds left sealed the deal.
“We were right there,” Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson said. “But you can’t dig a hole like that against a team shooting the lights out and expect to climb out of it.”
Other Standouts
Sug Sutton: 15 points, 7 assists
Kiki Iriafen: 14 points, 10 rebounds (her 10th double-double this season)
Emily Engstler: 13 points on perfect 5-for-5 shooting, including three from downtown
Jade Melbourne: 10 points off the bench
Despite strong individual performances, the Mystics (14–18) have now lost five of their last six, raising concerns as the postseason approaches.
Looking Ahead
The Valkyries will take their scorching form to Chicago for a Friday night showdown with the Sky, while the Mystics hit the road to face Indiana in what’s quickly becoming a must-win scenario.
Final Takeaway:
The Valkyries are no longer just the new kids on the block — they’re a legitimate playoff threat. If Burton and Zandalasini continue to shoot like this, the WNBA better take notice: there’s a new powerhouse brewing in Golden State.
