Burton & Zandalasini Contain Plum & Brink in Big Win Over Sparks, 72-59.

SAN FRANCISCO — Big win, with big stars and supporters in the crowd. This is Golden State Valkyries basketball.

In front of yet another capacity crowd at Ballhalla, the Golden State Valkyries delivered a decisive 72-59 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, securing not just their 15th win of the season but also a crucial 3-1 edge in the regular-season series and the tiebreaker that comes with it. With that triumph, the Valkyries evened their record at 15-15 while nudging a game ahead of the Sparks (14-16) in the WNBA playoff race.

From the opening tip, Golden State played with an intense defensive edge and urgency. Head coach Natalie Nakase emphasized the importance of controlling the controllables, energy, communication, and cohesion and her team delivered. They forced 10 Sparks turnovers in the first half and held Los Angeles to just nine points in the second quarter on 22.2% shooting, building a 33-23 halftime lead.

Cecilia Zandalasini set the tone offensively, erupting for 14 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting, including four from beyond the arc, marking a new career high for points in a half. Nakase praised her sharpshooting: “Ceci’s always been a sniper. When people leave her open, that’s when I think she starts grinning a little bit.” The ball movement fed her rhythm, with the team’s spacing allowing her to step into clean looks, and her confidence never wavered.

Veronica Burton carried the load across the full 40 minutes, finishing with a game-high 16 points, five rebounds, and a perfect night from the free throw line, her 13th flawless performance at the stripe this season.

Burton also drew the toughest defensive assignment of the night in Kelsey Plum, limiting the high-scoring guard to just four points, a stark contrast to the 37 points Plum poured in during the season opener in Ballhalla. It was a lockdown performance that set the tone for the Valkyries’ defensive dominance.

Nakase lauded Burton’s preparation and leadership, while Burton emphasized the team’s commitment to defense: “Offense will come, but at the end of the day defense is what we hang our hats on.”

Los Angeles made its strongest push early in the third quarter, starting with a 7-0 run capped by a Dearica Hamby three-pointer. Hamby, who led the Sparks with 15 points, helped close the gap to 43-40 late in the period.

But Golden State responded with poise, leaning on balanced scoring and timely execution. Janelle Salaün contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, Tiffany Hayes added eight points, seven rebounds, and six assists, and Carla Leite chipped in nine points off the bench.

The fourth quarter was all Valkyries. A 12-5 run over the first six minutes pushed the lead into double digits for good, sealing the win and keeping the Sparks at bay.

Golden State finished with 20 assists on 27 made field goals, underscoring their unselfish play, and held Los Angeles to a season-low 59 points on just 32.8% shooting from the field and 23.5% from three-point range.

Beyond the game itself, there was an added electricity and deep sentiment in the arena, fueled by the presence of some notable names and familiar faces.

The Sparks’ Cameron Brink made her Bay Area return after sitting out for over a year due to an ACL tear. On the court, the Valkyries’ crafty defense limited her to five points. Off the court, she had a strong supporting cast, including her godbrother Steph Curry and members of the Stanford women’s basketball team. At one point, Steph pumped his fist in the air while being recognized on the jumbotron, drawing cheers from the excited fans.

Another wave of emotion and encouragement swept through the arena when injured team leader Kayla Thornton appeared on the big screen, seated in a suite with her right leg elevated and propped up. She greeted the fans with a radiant smile, forming her hands into a heart shape as she accepted a congratulatory painting from Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin.

Thornton, sidelined for the season following knee surgery, remains the emotional and defensive anchor for the Valkyries, and her presence in the building gave the team a tangible lift. “Kayla is our leader,” Cecilia Zandalasini said after the game. “When your leader is here watching, you want to play even harder. She gives us that extra push.”

Yet another heartfelt moment unfolded when former Golden State Valkyrie Julie Vanloo made her return to Ballhalla, bringing many fans to their feet upon checking in. As the game wound down and victory was assured, Vanloo shared tearful embraces with numerous teammates, including rookie Kaitlyn Chen, who many believe took Vanloo’s spot on the roster. The genuine love, warmth, and respect in those embraces perfectly captured the spirit of this team’s tight-knit culture.

The win carried historical significance, too. The Valkyries became the second-fastest expansion team in WNBA history to reach 15 wins, doing so in 30 games, behind only the 1998 Detroit Shock, who did it in 27. More importantly, they now hold the eighth and final playoff spot with the tiebreaker advantage over Los Angeles.

With the playoff race tightening, Golden State’s formula is clear, stingy defense and selflessness that can't be scouted or taught. On a night when the crowd was packed with sports icons, beloved former teammates, and their own sidelined star in Thornton, the Valkyries proved that their most powerful weapon may be the connectedness of 12 strong and the supportive, unbreakable relationships surrounding them.

UP NEXT

• Golden State wraps up the homestand versus the Connecticut Sun on Monday, August 11 during Bird Watchers Night at 7:00 p.m. PT on KPIX+, 95.7 The Game, and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.