Golden State

Valkyries

Although Iliana Rupert earned the start after Temi Fágbénlé (knee) was a late scratch on Wednesday, it was Billings who had the greatest impact in the frontcourt for Golden State on Wednesday. She led the team in scoring and was steady on the offensive end throughout. Billings and Rupert ultimately alternated fourth-quarter minutes in the loss and had their own key baskets down the stretch, including Billings’ putback layup with under two minutes remaining to give the Valkyries their final lead of the game. Despite coming up short, Billings ends her season strongly, tallying her third-highest scoring output of the year.

Salaün followed up a solid Game 1 performance with another strong effort on Wednesday. She shot efficiently in her limited looks and utilized her accuracy both inside and outside the arc to finish as one of the Valkyries’ leading scorers. Yet, a zero-point fourth quarter on zero shot attempts prevented the rookie forward from even greater impact, and perhaps from providing the Valkyries a much-needed boost, as they scored only 11 fourth-quarter points and blew a double-digit lead in the final period. Still, Salaün finished a productive rookie season with a solid final performance. She’ll have upside in fantasy leagues entering Year 2.

In the Valkyries’ first-ever home playoff game, the 2025 Most Improved Player recipient put on a well-rounded performance in front of the home crowd. Burton struggled late with her shooting, but shot more efficiently overall than she did in Game 1. Additionally, she remained effective as a rebounder and had a greatly impactful role as a facilitator, ultimately finishing one assist shy of a double-double. Burton also thrived on the defensive end — here, she tallied a game-high in steals and combined for five stocks. Her production ultimately wasn’t enough to keep Golden State’s season alive, but the future for both Burton and the Valkyries appears to be high after a successful season.

Fagbénlé was a late scratch on Wednesday, as she was ruled out just before Wednesday’s Game 2 tipoff, and was replaced in the Valkyries’ opening lineup by Iliana Rupert. Fagbénlé had tallied 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists in the Game 1 loss — her absence will leave Golden State’s frontcourt noticeably thinner. Expect Rupert and Monique Billings to see more minutes than usual in Fagbénlé’s absence.

Hayes has not appeared in a game since August 22 and will also sit out a game that could be the Valkyries’ last of the season. Kaila Charles has served as the replacement in the starting lineup and will continue to do so. Hayes’ absence also puts more pressure offensively on Veronica Burton, who was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player on Monday. Between the regular season and Sunday’s Game 1, the Valkyries have gone 0-5 against the Lynx this season.

The Valkyries made history this season, becoming the first expansion team to earn a trip to the postseason in its inaugural season. And Burton was a critical contributor for Golden State, averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.4 three-pointers in 29.4 minutes per game. Burton received 68 first-place votes, with Los Angeles’ Azurá Stevens receiving two and Atlanta’s Allisha Gray and Minnesota’s Natisha Hiedeman each receiving one. Golden State hosts Minnesota in Game 2 of their first-round series on Wednesday.

Burton had a well-rounded performance in the Valkyries’ first-ever playoff game. She tied a team-high in points and led Golden State in steals and assists. Yet, despite a full box score, Burton struggled from the field and turned the basketball over seven times. She’ll likely need to be a bit more productive in Wednesday’s Game 2 if she wants to lead her team to a series-deciding Game 3 in Minnesota.

After getting off to a hot start with eight first-quarter points, the rookie forward had a much quieter final three quarters. Salaün shot just 2-of-6 from the field after the first frame. Still, she finished as the Valkyries’ third-leading scorer and as one of five Golden State players to score in double figures. Even with a solid performance on Sunday, Golden State will likely need even more from Salaün on Wednesday if it wants to extend the series with a Game 2 victory.

Zandalasini got the start on Sunday and concluded as one of the Valkyries’ most productive players. Despite shooting inefficiently, the former Minnesota Lynx forward utilized the free-throw line to finish as one of the Valkyries’ leading scorers on the afternoon. Sunday marked her third game back from a calf injury, and her ability to log 30 minutes in Game 1 should serve as an encouraging sign ahead of Wednesday’s Game 2. Golden State could continue to lean heavily on Zandalasini in an attempt to keep its season alive.

In her third game back from a calf injury, Zandalasini will replace Iliana Rupert in the Valkyries’ starting unit on Sunday. She started 10 games for Golden State during the regular season and in 19 total appearances, averaged career-highs in points (10.5), rebounds (2.9), assists (1.7), and steals (0.9). She’ll provide scoring and floor spacing from the forward position for Golden State as it faces first-seeded Minnesota in Game 1.