The Golden State Valkyries secured a 91-80 victory over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night in San Francisco. Gabby Williams led the Valkyries with 25 points, contributing to the team's fourth consecutive win. Kaitlyn Chen, coming off the bench, added 15 points against her former UConn teammates, Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd.
Veronica Burton also played a significant role for the Valkyries, recording 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Kayla Thornton contributed 11 rebounds to the team's effort. The Valkyries' bench proved crucial, delivering a total of 43 points, with Janelle Salaun scoring 12 points and Tiffany Hayes adding 10. This strong bench performance followed a 30-point contribution from reserves in a 78-58 victory over Los Angeles two days earlier.
Dallas Performance Overview
For the Dallas Wings, Arike Ogunbowale led the scoring with 21 points. Jessica Shepard started strong, making all five of her first-quarter shots and finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. However, former UConn players Bueckers and Fudd experienced challenging shooting nights. Bueckers scored 15 points on 5 of 13 shooting, alongside eight assists, while Fudd contributed 10 points on 4 of 13 shooting.
The Wings began the game with an assertive offense, hitting 11 of 17 shots in the opening quarter to establish a quick 26-17 lead. This early momentum faltered significantly in the second quarter, where Dallas managed only 2 of 15 shots, including 1 for 6 from beyond the arc. This cold streak allowed the Valkyries to take a 44-33 lead by halftime.
Game Incidents and Connections
During the game, Veronica Burton and Paige Bueckers collided hard while vying for a loose ball with 58.1 seconds remaining, though both players were able to stand afterward. The Wings had previously achieved a dominant 96-66 rout of the defending WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces two days earlier. Azzi Fudd's appearance marked her first professional visit to Chase Center, a venue where her close friend Stephen Curry, the two-time NBA MVP, plays. Fudd joined Curry's brand in November 2021, and Curry provided resources to Fudd during her recovery from right knee surgery last year. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase noted that Kaitlyn Chen, who made 7 of her 10 shots, offered insights on her former UConn teammates for the game plan. Looking ahead, the Wings are scheduled to host Chicago two days from now, while the Valkyries will host Minnesota one day from now.