Golden State Valkyries Secure First Win Behind Veronica Burton Career Highs

The Golden State Valkyries secured their first-ever franchise win with a thrilling 76-74 comeback victory over the Washington Mystics at Chase Center, highlighted by Veronica Burton's career-best performance. Burton, a Northwestern alumna, scored 22 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out five assists, including a crucial buzzer-beating three-pointer at halftime and a dagger three that sealed the win late in the game. Despite a slow start and the team missing their first 17 three-point attempts, the Valkyries showed resilience, strong defense, and clutch execution in the fourth quarter. Head coach Natalie Nakase praised her players' effort and composure, especially after starting guard Tiffany Hayes left with an injury, allowing Burton to take command. Alongside Burton's heroics, contributions from Kayla Thornton and promising rookies helped the Valkyries maintain momentum and build their program. The victory marked a significant milestone for the expansion team, electrifying a sellout home crowd and signaling the beginning of an exciting chapter for the franchise.