Resilient Valkyries Hold Off Mystics 68-67 Behind Salaün’s Game-Winner

It's difficult times created by grueling road trips with limited rest that build and reveal true character.

The Golden State Valkyries once again proved that resilience defines their identity, escaping with a narrow 68-67 road win over the Washington Mystics on Thursday night. With key players sidelined and fatigue setting in from a taxing travel schedule, the Valkyries still found a way, and someone, to step up.

This time, it was Janelle Salaün who delivered the decisive blow, sinking a hard-earned layup with just under a minute to play that would stand as the game-winner.

Her clutch bucket snapped a long fourth-quarter scoring drought and gave the Valkyries the one-point advantage they would hold until the final buzzer.

Washington had one final opportunity to win it, but Brittney Sykes’ floater in the lane bounced off the rim as time expired, giving Golden State its 13th win of the season and bringing them to an even 13-13 record.

The Valkyries came out firing, and Iliana Rupert led the early charge. Making her first start of the season, she scored nine points in the opening seven minutes, hitting three shots from beyond the arc and injecting immediate energy.

Golden State put up a season-best 71.4 percent shooting in the first quarter, including 5-of-8 from three-point range, building a 30-20 lead by the end of the period.

Kate Martin contributed three of those threes, finishing with 14 points in just 23 minutes off the bench. Her perfect 3-for-3 effort from the free throw line and five rebounds added to her efficient night.

The Valkyries’ offensive pace cooled significantly after the red-hot first quarter, managing just 38 points over the remaining three frames. But their defense refused to yield.

Head coach Natalie Nakase emphasized postgame that the team's identity starts with defense. “We talked about being top in defense and being one of the toughest teams, I think that just showed it,” she said. “That last couple minutes, it showed our toughness. Back to the resilience of what we had last game. We still stay connected and I thought we fought our asses off till the very second.”

Indeed, the defense held Washington scoreless for over six critical minutes in the fourth quarter, from 7:20 to 1:15, allowing Golden State to survive a late offensive stall.

Veronica Burton, who recorded her second career double-double with 10 points and 10 assists, was instrumental on both ends, adding seven rebounds and steadying the team during turbulent stretches.

Temi Fagbenle chipped in 10 points and six rebounds, including the go-ahead basket with 5:34 remaining before Salaün’s ninth point of the game, closed the scoring.

Laeticia Amihere added eight points and five boards, knocking down her first career three-pointer in the opening quarter and going 5-of-6 from the line.

Though the Mystics surged in the second half, erasing a 12-point deficit with a 14-2 run that spanned halftime and even taking their first lead midway through the fourth, Golden State never broke.

Time and again this season, different players have stepped forward. With Kayla Thornton sidelined for the season, the team’s emotional anchor and top performer for much of the year, the Valkyries have found new heroes. In Atlanta, it was Cecilia Zandalasini delivering in the clutch. In Washington, it was Salaün. “She will step up at the end. That’s her killer mentality,” Rupert said of her teammate.

Golden State refused to fold. As they’ve done repeatedly this season, they leaned into their defensive structure and mental toughness.

Martin echoed those sentiments about the team as a whole, “We’ve gotten here because of our defense, not our offense. Sticking together and still coming out with a win like that is huge and something to be proud of.”

Even the team’s veterans continue to set the tone. Tiffany Hayes, in her 20 minutes on the floor, became the 42nd player in WNBA history to surpass 10,000 career minutes. She also joined the elite club of players with at least 4,800 points, 1,200 rebounds, and 350 steals, further cementing her leadership role on a team identified by toughness and defense.

Ultimately, the Valkyries proved that resilience isn’t just a buzzword, it’s their brand.

From a red-hot opening to a pressure-packed finish, this game embodied exactly who the Valkyries are, a team built to handle adversity, rise in critical moments, and find ways to win. With consecutive victories sealed by last-minute heroics, Golden State is making it clear they’re here to fight and come out on top, regardless of the circumstances or the cast of characters.

UP NEXT

• Golden State returns to action tomorrow, August 1 in the second game of its first-ever back-to-back, visiting the Chicago Sky at 4:30 p.m. PT on ION and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.