Late surge lifts Valkyries past Mystics for first win

Field Level Media|published: Thu 22nd May, 01:02 2025

WNBA: Washington Mystics at Golden State Valkyries

May 21, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) dribbles up court with guard Kate Martin (20) during a game against Washington Mystics in the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Veronica Burton drilled a pair of 3-pointers in the final 1:38, helping the expansion Golden State Valkyries record their first-ever WNBA victory, 76-74 over the visiting Washington Mystics on Wednesday in San Francisco.

Kayla Thornton converted a key four-point play during Golden State's late run.

Burton finished with 22 points and Thornton 18 for the Valkyries, who were playing their second game, having dropped their debut against the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday.

Brittney Sykes poured in a game-high 30 points for the Mystics, who had opened their campaign with two straight wins.

Down early as the result of a 16-0 Washington flurry that produced a 20-11 lead, the Valkyries (1-1) led by one at halftime but trailed 65-63 after Sykes dropped in a pair of free throws with 1:58 to go.

Burton turned a Thornton assist into a go-ahead 3-pointer on Golden State's next possession, and the hosts never fell behind again.

The four-point play was the key moment in the Valkyries' crowd-pleasing finish. Thornton drew a foul from Kiki Iriafen while draining a 23-footer from the left side. The subsequent free throw gave Golden State a 70-65 lead with 1:03 to go.

After Sykes cut the deficit to four with a free throw, Burton iced the historic victory with her third 3-pointer of the game, creating a seven-point cushion with 29.1 seconds left.

The run of three consecutive 3-pointers came after the Valkyries had missed 30 of their first 34 attempts from beyond the arc.

Burton also found time for team-highs totals in rebounds (nine) and assists (five).

Janelle Salaun, making her WNBA debut after winning MVP honors in the recently completed Italian League, chipped in with 10 points for Golden State, as did Carla Leite.

Sykes made eight of her 19 shots and 11 of 14 from the free-throw line.

Iriafen, a rookie who began her college career at nearby Stanford, completed her second double-double in three games with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for Washington (2-1). Sonia Citron also had 10 points, while Jade Melbourne logged a game-high seven assists to go with eight points and seven rebounds.

The Mystics lost despite outshooting the hosts 37.9 percent to 31.9 percent.

--Field Level Media