A Tough Day in Connecticut for Valkyries, Lose 95-64 to Sun

You can't appreciate the good days without a few bad ones.

The Golden State Valkyries hit a bump in the road on Sunday afternoon, falling 95-64 to the Connecticut Sun in what was an uncharacteristic outing for the typically tenacious squad.

The team showed flashes of what Ballhalla fans have witnessed all season, but couldn’t overcome the combination of a cross-country trip, an early start time, and a hot-shooting Sun team that also played pesky defense in one of their best games of the year.

Flying in from the West Coast, Golden State faced more than just a motivated opponent desperate for a win, they were also battling fatigue, time zone shifts, and the rhythm disruption that comes with long travel.

Head coach Natalie Nakase acknowledged the challenge and took ownership of the preparation process. “I told them I put this on myself,” she said. “I have to do a better job of navigating this type of West Coast to East Coast trip. How can I teach you guys how to manage waking up at 9:00 in the morning and what does that day look like?”

From the opening minutes, the game seemed to slip away quickly. Saniya Rivers knocked down a three-pointer to give Connecticut a 3-2 lead early, and the Sun never relinquished control.

By the end of the first quarter, the Sun led 23-15 and extended the gap to 49-33 at the half. Connecticut’s offensive output never let up, with veteran center Tina Charles scoring a game-high 24 points in just 19 minutes of action. Her performance added another milestone to her illustrious career, reaching double figures for the 395th time.

Despite taking quality shots, the Valkyries couldn't find the bottom of the net consistently and even missed some easy layups. Golden State shot just 34% (20-of-56) from the field and nearly a season-low 65% (15-of-23) from the free-throw line. Coming into the game, the Valkyries had been shooting 80% from the charity stripe.

Connecticut, on the other hand, could hardly miss. The Sun shot 53% overall and connected on a season-best 12 three-pointers, turning defense into offense with relentless pressure that forced 24 Valkyrie turnovers, tying a season high for Golden State.

The Sun’s physical, scrappy defense seemed to catch the Valkyries a step behind all game. French rookie Leila Lacan led the charge for Connecticut with six steals, and the home team capitalized, turning the Valkyrie turnovers into 34 points.

"There’s so many turnovers that we can control better,” admitted Valkyries center Iliana Rupert. “They were closing the paint a lot and I felt like sometimes we forced too much.”

Rupert provided a bright spot for Golden State in just her second WNBA appearance this season. The promising young big paced the Valkyries with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, and scored 10 points in her first 10 minutes of play.

Off the bench, Kate Martin made her presence felt by knocking down three triples, continuing to make the most of her minutes after sitting out the previous game against Dallas.

Veronica Burton added 10 points and led the team at the free-throw line, going 6-for-7. She also distributed three assists, but acknowledged the team’s energy and effort did not meet their usual standard. “I think our effort and energy was pretty embarrassing from a standards standpoint,” Burton said. “We know, obviously, it's an early game, travel, whatever, but we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard on both sides of the basketball.”

This game marked the Valkyries' second outing since the loss of team leader and emotional anchor Kayla Thornton to a season-ending injury. The absence of Thornton’s presence was undoubtedly felt, especially during moments when the team needed a stabilizing voice on the floor. Still, the Valkyries are determined to regroup and continue learning through the ups and downs of their inaugural season.

Out of the ordinary games like Sunday’s are bound to happen, especially in a season that demands quick turnarounds and mental toughness. Golden State’s coaching staff and players alike are taking full accountability, with eyes forward to the next opportunity.

With 11 wins under their belt and a resilient spirit, the Valkyries remain a team with promise and pride. As they continue to forge their identity, Sunday’s stumble will serve not as a setback, but as another chapter in a season of growth.

UP NEXT

• Golden State continues its road trip on Tuesday, July 29 against the Atlanta Dream at 4:30 p.m. PT on KPIX, KMAX, 95.7 The Game, and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.