Valkyries Spoil Caitlin Clark’s Return, Crush Fever 80-61

The WNBA’s biggest star may be making her return, but the Valkyries aren’t backing down one bit.

Caitlin Clark’s return from injury added buzz, but the Valkyries overpowered the Fever with an 80-61 rout, earning their 10th win of the season.

The Valkyries held Clark to just 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting, a testament to the disciplined, aggressive defense that has become a hallmark under head coach Natalie Nakase.

Golden State clamped down in the second quarter, holding the Fever to just nine points on 18.8% shooting, tying their season low for points allowed in a quarter.

Veronica Burton led the charge with 21 points on a blistering 5-of-6 shooting from deep, adding eight rebounds and six assists with a game-high +22. It was her third 20-point game this season, showcasing her growth as a reliable leader in Nakase’s system.

While Burton’s perimeter precision fueled the offense, Kayla Thornton provided the veteran backbone the Valkyries have leaned on all season.

Thornton, who will return to Indianapolis next week for the WNBA All-Star Game, poured in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, repeatedly punishing Indiana’s defense with timely cuts and second-chance finishes.

Tiffany Hayes added six points and eight rebounds, all on the defensive glass, helping Golden State dominate the rebounding battle, 47-32.

Beyond the stars, the Valkyries received critical contributions throughout the roster. Kaitlyn Chen added five points, three assists, and two steals, continuing to bring an infectious energy that Nakase and her teammates embrace.

One of the game’s highlights came from Chen’s nifty move to get past Caitlin Clark.

Laeticia Amihere chipped in six rebounds and four points in just 10 minutes, while Janelle Salaün came off the bench to provide four points and seven boards, further establishing Golden State’s presence on the glass.

The turning point of the game came late in the first half, when Golden State exploded on an 18-2 run to take a 41-32 lead into halftime. From that moment, the Valkyries never looked back, extending their lead by moving the ball with patience, knocking down open shots, and locking down the paint defensively.

With Carla Leite back in the rotation, Golden State’s ball movement opened up clean looks for Burton and Thornton, contributing to the Valkyries tying their season high with 12 made three-pointers.

This victory was as much about the Valkyries’ identity as it was about the numbers. The defensive scheme prepared by assistant Kasib Powell emphasized disrupting Indiana’s ability to get to the paint, and the Valkyries executed with discipline and collective urgency.

The result was a suffocating defensive effort that limited Indiana’s big three of Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston, while ensuring the Fever never found an offensive rhythm in their own building.

Even as the Fever made brief pushes to cut into the lead, the Valkyries remained composed. Burton noted that the team’s focus on getting stops during critical stretches allowed them to extend the lead rather than allow the game to slip into a late scramble.

The victory in Indianapolis places the Valkyries in rare company, becoming just the third expansion team in WNBA history to reach 10 wins within its first 20 games, joining the 1999 Minnesota Lynx and the 1998 Detroit Shock.

With 10 wins already secured, Wednesday morning’s victory in Indianapolis was another example and a clear indication that the Golden State Valkyries are not simply here to participate in the league but to establish themselves as a consistent force, even in a tough road environment against one of the league’s most talented rosters.

Many new WNBA fans wondered about the early 12 PM ET (9 AM PST) tip-off, which is part of the league’s “Camp Day” tradition that allows children summer camps to attend the game during the day.

As the Valkyries head into the All-Star break, their victory over the Fever sends a clear message, no matter how big the superstar across from them is, Golden State’s effort remains relentless and their focus stays the same, WIN.

UP NEXT

• The Valkyries wrap up the four-game road trip this Saturday, July 12 against the Las Vegas Aces at 1 p.m. on CBS and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.