Janelle

Salaün

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.

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.

Salaün missed 11 shots on Thursday, contributing to Golden State’s inefficient 19-of-66 shooting (28.8 percent) on the night. The rookie forward’s lone made basket came in the fourth quarter, coming with under 5:00 left in the game. Still, she impacted the game in other areas, specifically as a rebounder, where she collected double-digit boards for the first time since the opening month of the regular season. Salaün and the Valkyries will have a chance to bounce back against the Lynx on Sunday in Game 1 of their opening-round playoff series.

Salaün and the Valkyries needed a win over Seattle to clinch the sixth seed for the upcoming playoffs. While the expansion team could not finish the job, the rookie wing had her best offensive game of the season. Salaün finished the one-point defeat with career-highs in points and three-pointers while also providing value on the glass. She’s scored in double figures in a season-best six consecutive games and is headed into the postseason on a high note. Golden State needs a win over Minnesota on Thursday to sew up the sixth seed; a loss would drop them into eighth.

Salaün was one of four Valkyries players to score in double figures on Saturday, as she tied a team high in total points. The vast majority of her production came from beyond the arc, while nearly all of her points came in the second and third quarters. The rookie forward was also one of Golden State’s best rebounders on the night, as she fell just a couple of rebounds shy of collecting the double-double. The Valkyries have secured a playoff spot, but their seed remains undetermined. They’ll face the Storm on Tuesday in a game that could bring some clarity to the bottom of the bracket.

Salaün led five Valkyries in double figures with 19 points on a historic night for the franchise. With the victory, Golden State became the first expansion team in WNBA history to earn a playoff berth in its first season. Salaün hit two three-pointers as part of a nine-point fourth quarter for the rookie wing, who has scored 19 points or more in two of Golden State’s last four games. With Kayla Thornton (knee) done for the season and Cecilia Zandalasini out with a calf injury, the Valkyries have needed Salaün to be more aggressive offensively. While she hasn’t been a prolific scorer, the production has been consistent enough to help the Valkyries earn a playoff berth.

Salaün scored all ten of her points in the first half on three three-pointers, two of which were in the left corner pocket. Salaün pulled out Fever front court players in Aliyah Boston, Natasha Howard and Brianna Turner as they left her mostly wide open. Salaün struggled in the second half, missing all of her shots as the Fever defense only allowed her one three-point attempt. Lexie Hull was switched onto to guard her and chased her around the floor, making Salaün’s second half more difficult.

The Valkyries continued their charge for a postseason berth with an emphatic victory over the Mystics, who are officially eliminated from playoff contention. Salaün led the way offensively, stepping up on a night when Golden State was without Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini due to injury. A double-digit scorer in three of her last four, Salaün’s 20 points were one shy of her WNBA career-high. Since the All-Star break, she’s scored 10 points or more on 10 occasions, three more than her tally before the July hiatus.

With Tiffany Hayes and Carla Leite both ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Wings, Kaila Charles gets her first start as a member of the Valkyries. Charles provided meaningful minutes off the bench against the Mercury on Friday night adding nine points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. With Charles moving to the starting lineup, head coach Natalie Nakase will have to call upon guards Kate Martin and Kaitlyn Chen.

Burton was only the Valkyries second player in double digit scoring in addition to Janelle Salaün on Friday night. Burton scored at all three levels, mainly by shooting an open three-pointer, getting downhill and hitting shots in the mid-range over Mercury defender Sami Whitcomb. In addition to her 11 points, Burton led her team in assists and found four different teammates for scores on Friday night. She assisted on 9 of Salaün’s total points in addition to finding Kaila Charles for two scores and Tiffany Hayes and Iliana Rupert for one score each.