By: Jennifer Portee
6/3/2026
Golden State came out with one message Tuesday night: if you’re going to give them space, they’re going to make you pay for it.
The Valkyries leaned all the way into their perimeter game and turned it into a franchise night, knocking down a record number of shots from deep in a 95–77 win over the Portland Fire.
Kayla Thornton led the team, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds while finding her groove from beyond the arc. She got going quickly and never really cooled off, helping Golden State build momentum that carried through the first half. By the break, the Valkyries had already created plenty of separation, fueled by hot shooting and ball movement.
But this wasn’t a one-player show. Janelle Salaun brought a spark off the bench, adding 18 points and keeping the pressure on when rotations shifted. The bench didn’t miss a beat, which made it tough for Portland to find any real opening to climb back in.
Golden State’s offense felt connected all night. The ball moved, shots came within the flow, and even role players stepped into key moments. Veronica Burton, playing through a recent leg injury, still managed to steady things with her playmaking, showing toughness while helping keep the offense organized.
Portland had its stretches, especially with Megan Gustafson putting together a solid inside presence and Carla Leite facilitating, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. Every time the Fire looked ready to make a push, Golden State had an answer waiting on the perimeter.
A key moment in the second quarter only added to the momentum. A foul on a three-point attempt turned into a four-point swing, and from there, the Valkyries kept building on their lead with the same aggressive mindset.
Even when Portland tried to rally late, the gap never truly felt in danger. Golden State stayed composed, kept its spacing, and continued to knock down timely shots to close things out.
When the Valkyries play with this kind of freedom and trust in their offense, they’re tough to slow down. On a night like this, where the outside shots are falling and the energy stays high, they don’t just compete they take over the game.