The Golden State Valkyries’ four-game winning streak – their longest of the season and a franchise best – came to an end Sunday night with a 79–63 loss to the Atlanta Dream at Chase Center. In the Valkyries vs Atlanta Dream matchup, the game highlighted just how competitive the teams are.
After battling to stay within reach through the first half, the Valkyries (18–16) couldn’t recover from a cold third quarter, where Atlanta broke the game open. The loss marks just Golden State’s third defeat in the last 10 games, a sign of how far this San Francisco WNBA expansion team has come in their inaugural season.
Burton Leads, Rupert Exits
Point guard Veronica Burton kept the Valks alive with 16 points and five assists, showing her steady hand once again under pressure. But the game shifted when center Iliana Rupert took a hard hit to the face battling Brionna Jones for a rebound. Rupert left with a towel over her head and was later ruled out under the WNBA concussion protocol. Her absence left Golden State thin in the paint as Atlanta took advantage inside.
Shooting Struggles Halt Hot Streak
Coming off back-to-back games with a blistering 29 combined three-pointers, the Valkyries’ perimeter magic finally cooled. Golden State went just 7-for-29 from deep, falling short of the hot pace that fueled their four-game run.
Defensive Communication Tested
Head coach Natalie Nakase has preached defensive communication all season, and it was a key storyline in the Valks’ thrilling 77–75 win at Atlanta on July 29. But this time, with Dream star Rhyne Howard back in the lineup, Atlanta’s execution was sharper. Howard led all scorers with 14 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Brionna Jones bullied the paint with 13 points and nine boards.
Looking Ahead: Phoenix Mercury at Chase
Golden State drops to 10–6 at home (5–2 vs. Eastern Conference teams) but has a chance to bounce back quickly. The Valkyries host the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday in the first of back-to-back matchups at Chase Center. With the playoff race tightening in the WNBA Western Conference, every game now carries weight.
⚔️ Valkyries fans in San Francisco, Oakland, and the Bay Area – the playoff push is on.
