Golden State Valkyries Edge Dallas Wings in 84–80 Thriller, Clinch Playoff Spot in Inaugural Season.
Photographed by Vaughn Mendoza
The Golden State Valkyries pulled off a hard-fought 84–80 victory over the Dallas Wings on Thursday night, rallying behind a dominant second-half surge to secure their 23rd win of the season.
Dallas came out strong, holding a slim lead at halftime after outscoring Golden State 41–32 through the first two quarters. But the Valkyries flipped the momentum in the third, erupting for 26 points while locking down defensively to erase the deficit.
Photographed by Vaughn Mendoza
Paige Bueckers’ Breakout Performance Not Enough
Rookie guard Paige Bueckers led all scorers with a stellar 27-point performance for Dallas, showcasing her offensive arsenal and court vision. She received strong support from Haley Jones (18 points, 7 rebounds) and Maddy Siegrist (16 points), while Myisha Hines-Allen delivered a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Despite the Wings’ balanced attack, Golden State’s depth and resilience proved decisive.
Balanced Valkyries Attack Seals the Win
Janelle Salaün powered the Valkyries with 19 points and 6 rebounds in 37 minutes of play, while veteran guard Veronica Burton added 15 points and 5 assists. Carla Leite provided a spark off the bench, chipping in 15 points on efficient shooting.
Monique Billings also delivered a key inside presence with 11 points and 7 boards, while Iliana Rupert contributed 10 points to round out a balanced offensive effort.
Photographed by Vaughn Mendoza
Turning Point
The third quarter was the difference-maker. After trailing at the half, the Valkyries tightened their defense, holding Dallas to just 21 points while scoring 26 of their own. That momentum carried into the fourth, where Golden State matched the Wings blow-for-blow and closed strong to secure the four-point win.
History Made
With the win, the Valkyries improved to 23–18 and officially clinched a playoff berth in their debut season. A remarkable achievement that has quickly established them as one of the league’s most exciting new franchises.