Sisterhood Powers Valkyries to 86-76 Win Over Paige Bueckers and Wings

SAN FRANCISCO — One thing is certain, a defining theme with the Valkyries is their unwavering, sisterhood of support for their fallen and even former teammates.

With heavy hearts and in honor of their first-ever all-star and spiritual anchor, Kayla Thornton, the Golden State Valkyries earned a heartfelt 86-76 win over fan-favorite Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings on Friday night.

The veteran forward, known simply as K.T. among teammates, will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery for an injury sustained during practice earlier in the week. When asked about specific details of the injury, Coach Natalie Nakase and the Valkyries asked everyone to respect Kayla's privacy during this difficult time.

Her absence left not just a hole in the lineup, but in the soul of the team.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever not had K.T.,” head coach Natalie Nakase said. “She’s always been starting for us, playing heavy minutes. So this was a nice team win. KT, if you’re listening, this game was for you. We miss you and we love you.”

The Dallas Wings started the game strong, closing the first quarter on an 18-2 run and building a 12-point, 42-30 lead at the 9:18 mark in the third quarter. However, the Valkyries erased the game’s largest deficit with their second-half determination and hustle.

The comeback was sparked in the third quarter, when Golden State exploded for 33 points and flipped the game’s momentum. The charge was led by a trio of French teammates made up of Janelle Salaün, Carla Leite, and Iliana Rupert, whose connection and chemistry brought a unique energy to the floor.

Rupert, making her Valkyries debut, scored all nine of her points in that period, part of a run that included four consecutive made threes by the Valkyries, one from Cecilia Zandalasini, two from Rupert, and one from Salaün.

“You can tell that we’re not afraid,” Salaün said. “Us three, we’re great players. Iliana, shout out to her. It was her first game and it’s never easy to play your first game in this arena. She plays with rhythm, with flow. She has this feel for the game.”

Salaün finished with 16 points, her fourth straight game in double figures, while adding seven rebounds and three steals. Leite, a spark off the bench, added 14 points and hit all six of her free throws. The trio’s on-court chemistry is rooted in years of friendship and familiarity, having known each other since they were teenagers, and their trust in one another was evident in every pass, cut, and celebration.

That sisterhood wasn’t confined to the French trio. It extended across the roster.

Veteran guard Tiffany Hayes, the quiet but commanding voice in the locker room, once again shouldered the scoring load with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Her leadership has long been a cornerstone of the team’s identity, and on this night, it was indispensable.

A prime example of her effort came late in the fourth quarter when she violently collided with the Wings’ DiJonai Carrington while chasing down a loose ball, ultimately landing in the laps of fans sitting courtside.

“Tip is a vet, a selfless vet that we can always lean on,” Nakase said. “She doesn’t talk a lot, but when she does, everyone listens.”

With the Wings closing in and tying the game at 71 in the fourth, it was Temi Fágbénlé who delivered the turning point. Her offensive rebound and three-point play with just under three minutes left gave the Valkyries a six-point cushion they wouldn’t surrender. Fágbénlé’s performance of 11 points and 8 rebounds, not only pushed her over the 500-career point mark but also reflected the grit and unselfishness that has come to define this group.

In the end, it was a game won not by one star, but by a collective determined to lift each other up, with five Valkyries scoring in double figures, Tiffany Hayes (17), Janelle Salaün (16), Carla Leite (14), Temi Fágbénlé (11) and Cecilla Zandalasini (10).

The bonds of friendship on display extended beyond Kayla Thornton. One notable connection was the strong relationship between former UConn teammates Paige Bueckers and Kaitlyn Chen, adding another layer to the web of sisterhood woven throughout the game.

Although Bueckers scored 17 points and dished out six assists to keep the Wings competitive in the fourth quarter, it was Chen and the Valkyries who ultimately stood tall.

The matchup may have cast them as opponents for the night, but their shared history served as a quiet reminder that the relationships formed through basketball often run deeper than the final score.

In fact, the night before the game, Bueckers shared that the two caught up over an Italian dinner at Pazzia in San Francisco.

From rookies to veterans, from the starting five to the bench, the Valkyries leaned on one another to get through a night heavy with emotion. The word “team” can often feel generic, but for this Golden State group, it’s something far more sacred. It's a sisterhood rooted in shared sacrifice, deep trust, and mutual care.

On a night where they played with one sister absent but never far from their hearts, the Valkyries showed the world what happens when a group of women come together not just as athletes, but as family. And together, they gave Kayla Thornton the tribute she deserved by winning, by loving, and by lifting each other up.

UP NEXT

• Golden State embarks on a five-game road trip beginning Sunday, July 27 against the Connecticut Sun at 10 a.m. PT on KPIX+, KMAX, CBS Sports Network,95.7 The Game, and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.