Connecticut Sun W vs Golden State Valkyries W

The Valkyries' 14-0 run to close the first half killed any semblance of a Sun comeback before it could materialise. Connecticut went more than four minutes without scoring, and the 28-point halftime deficit was simply too steep against a Golden State side that shot efficiently across the board. The Sun never got closer than 22 points after the break.

Janelle Salaun (15 points, 4/4 from three-point range) was the offensive spark off the bench, knocking down every three-pointer she attempted. Veronica Burton (12 points, 7 assists) orchestrated the offence with precision, finding teammates in transition and in the half-court. Kaila Charles added 14 points, and Kaitlyn Chen chipped in 10 as Golden State's bench set a franchise record with 54 points — 14 Valkyries saw the floor and 11 scored at least two points.

For the Sun, rookie Charlisse Leger-Walker posted a season-high 17 points in a losing effort, while Nell Angloma added 11. But Connecticut shot just 22 of 71 (31%) from the field, a mark that made any sustained comeback impossible.

Player of the match: Janelle Salaun — a perfect 4-for-4 from deep in 15 points off the bench.

The game's decisive factor was depth. Golden State's 54 bench points — a franchise record — nearly matched Connecticut's entire team output of 64. The Valkyries' 14-0 close to the second quarter reflected defensive suffocation: the Sun missed their final eight shots of the half. Connecticut's 31% field-goal percentage tells the story of a defence that never let the home side find rhythm, while Golden State's balanced attack (six players with at least 8 points) made them impossible to key on.

Golden State (27-11) sits firmly among the WNBA's elite, having now won four of their last five. The Valkyries head to New York to face the Liberty on Thursday (27 August) in a pivotal test against a direct conference rival. Connecticut (10-28) remains rooted near the bottom of the standings. The Sun travel to Indiana on Friday (28 August) looking to snap a skid that has seen them lose seven of their last eight.

This was a mismatch from start to finish. Golden State's bench outscored Connecticut's entire starting five in the first half, and the Valkyries' defensive pressure never relented. Against a Sun side that has struggled all season, the only question was the margin of victory — and at 25 points, it reflected the gulf between these two teams in the 2026 WNBA season.