Valkyries soar past the Sky, 90-59 to extend their four-game winning streak

Conventional wisdom says an expansion team often has a cool logo, fashionable uniforms, and a cute mascot. Other than that, don't expect the team to win many games and definitely do not plan on seeing any postseason games.

The Valkyries threw that script out the window and they continue to make history as they have now set the record for most wins by an expansion team in their inaugural season.

Golden State used a 25-5 run late in the third quarter to soar past the Chicago Sky, 90-59.

The Valkyries (18-15) have surpassed the 1998 Detroit Shock who in their first season were 17-13. The victory also has the team firmly in 6th place in the standings, only 2.5 games behind the Phoenix Mercury will 11 games remaining in the regular season.

Cecilia Zandalasini scored a game high 20 points while Janelle Salaün added 15 points with six assists. Iliana Rupert was sharp from distance making all four of her 3-pointers and contributed 14 points off the bench.

Add in 13 points by Tiffany Hayes and 11 from Veronica Burton and it resulted in the 31-point win, the largest margin of victory. Also by converting 14-of-27 threes, (51.9 percent) was also a season best. Golden State is shooting 45.7 percent (42-of-92) from three-point range its last three games.

It’s now a four-game winning streak as the Valkyries return home for a brief two-game homestand beginning with the Atlanta Dream on Sunday followed by the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday. The goal is to be in the upcoming playoffs.

“Maybe it has something to do with our new goal, and the new goal is to make the playoffs,” coach Natalie Nakase said. “So ever since we said we are in a must-win situation, it's kind of come to fruition. I think it's just really taking on the challenge of the goal."

"Next team up: Atlanta. We have to beat Atlanta. It's a must win because we only have to worry about controlling what we can control."

Chicago (8-25) competed with Golden State in the first half as it was just a two-point Valkyries edge at the half. But the Sky have dropped 12 of their last 13 games and scored only 19 points in the second half. The Sky were also missing Angel Reese and Courtney Vandersloot, both were out due to injury. Kamila Cardoso led Chicago with 12 points and Kimberly Williams’ 10 points were the only players for the Sky to score in double digits.

But the key to this game was that third quarter when the Valkyries outscored the Sky, 27-9 making 11 of 13 free throws.

In the postgame press conference, Salaün and Zandalasini were asking reporters how many games they would have to win to clinch a playoff berth before they answered any questions. There is no “magic number” at the moment because the standings are too close to determine when it would occur on the calendar.

"We're just here to win and I don't think we really care about if we're an expansion team or not," Salaün said. "That's how we approach the game every night. "

When asked if her experience in going to the WNBA Finals with the Minnesota Lynx last season helps with her current situation in getting the Valkyries to the playoffs, Zandalasini said, "Last year was a great experience for me personally. I will try to give advice but every team is different so our journey here I think we're creating our own thing inside the team."

UP NEXT

• Golden State takes on the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, August 17 at 5:30 p.m. PT on KPIX+, Kmax, and on 95.7 FM and the Audacy App.
• For tickets, news, and more team updates, visit valkyries.wnba.com.