The Golden State Valkyries needed a statement win to steady their playoff push. They delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night. In a thrilling matchup between the Golden State Valkyries vs Washington Mystics, behind Carla Leite’s explosive 19 points and 6 assists off the bench, the Valkyries snapped a two-game home skid with a 99–62 rout of the Washington Mystics. This kept their postseason dreams on track.
Leite Returns, Brings Firepower 💜⚔️
Playing through a tender ankle, Leite came off the bench and was unstoppable in limited minutes. She went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field in 19 minutes of action. Her energy and confidence fueled a first-half surge that put Golden State in control early. The intensity of the Golden State Valkyries vs Washington Mystics matchup was evident.
Balanced Attack From Valhalla
The Valkyries (20–18) showcased the depth that has carried them through an injury-plagued season:
- Janelle Salaün: 20 PTS, 6 REB, relentless inside presence
- Veronica Burton: 15 PTS, orchestrated the offense + key three-point play
- Kaila Charles: 16 PTS, physical and efficient in the paint
Golden State finished the night shooting a blistering 55% from the floor, including 6 triples in the first half. They ended the second quarter on a 23–9 run that blew the game open.
Defense Sets the Tone
The Valks held a 31–20 edge on the glass and forced 15 Mystics turnovers. They turned these into 19 points. Burton’s first-half and-1 layup — slicing through defenders in the lane — epitomized the energy that had the Bay Area crowd on its feet. The lead ballooned to 45–16. The Golden State Valkyries vs Washington Mystics game was a defensive showcase.
Injury Watch
Top scorer Tiffany Hayes sat out her second straight game with illness and a left knee issue. However, the Valkyries showed resilience once again. With Leite back and producing, Golden State proved it still has the firepower to compete with anyone. This was especially evident in the recent Golden State Valkyries vs Washington Mystics encounter.
Playoff Push Continues
The win pushes Golden State back into the No. 8 seed in the WNBA playoff picture. They are fighting to secure a historic postseason berth in their inaugural year. With two more home games this week, Chase Center’s sellout crowds will continue to be the X-factor in this playoff chase. The recent win in the Golden State Valkyries vs Washington Mystics game has bolstered their confidence.
💜⚔️ Valhalla rises. The playoffs are calling.
